Avoid blank pages. Before printing Web pages, preview them to avoid generating lots of blank pages. Some printer manufacturers, such as HP, offer software that helps you cut paper use. A free software package called Green Print (www.printgreener.com) analyzes pages that you want to print and skips those with little or no content.

Print fewer pages. You can use more of a page by decreasing a document's margins, using a smaller font size, or avoiding double line spacing. Also, some printers, including the Canon Pixma MP610 inkjet all-in-one we recommend, can print on both sides of the paper.

Conserve ink or toner. Many printers have more than one quality setting. Figure out which is best for you. If you're not printing photos, which should be printed at the best quality setting, consider using a lower, or "draft," mode, which should use less ink. Note that we don't recommend cheap off-brand inks for performance reasons. (See How to choose.)

Power it down. Many of today's printers conserve power, especially during periods of inactivity. The power scores in the Ratings of all-in-one printers (available to subscribers) indicate which models do so most effectively.

Seek efficiency. When choosing a printer we haven't rated, look for an Energy Star label. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently toughened qualifications for the label. To be awarded one, a printer must consume very little power when not printing. For details, go to www.energystar.gov.

Recycle cartridges. Programs to recycle used ink and toner cartridges reduce waste and can save you money. Some are easy to take advantage of. For example, at Brother's Web site, you can print out a prepaid shipping label to send your used cartridge back to the company. Office Depot, OfficeMax, and Staples let you drop off used cartridges at local stores and give a $3 credit for Dell, HP, and Lexmark cartridges. Also, some manufacturers, such as Canon, produce printer manuals on recycled paper.