The ABCs Of Reducing Your Paper Usage In Business

Julie Starr • September 24, 2020



Going green is a responsibility for all modern businesses to embrace. Aside from actively helping the planet, it can remove any personal feelings of guilt. You’ll simultaneously save money. The fact that it often receives a better response from employees and clients alike should be another incentive to get this aspect right. There are many contributing factors to consider when building a greener workspace , but paper usage should be at the top of your agenda. As a single step, it is one of the most impactful. More importantly, the results are visible, which can subsequently inspire further improvements. So, how can you take control of yours? Just remember your ABCs and you won’t go far wrong.

A is for Arrangement

 

A good sense of organization throughout the business will deliver a wide range of benefits. In the modern climate, it is the first step to gaining control over paper usage. Migrating invoices, contracts, and other files to the digital arena will dramatically cut down on paperwork. Meanwhile, utility bills and banking elements can be handled via online banking and payment plans. It’s a simple step that can be embraced by all staff members. Aside from aiding the company in its bid to be greener, cloud computing and digital storage services reduce the risk of lost files. This saves time and boosts compliance. Implement this move ASAP, and the company’s paper requirements will dramatically fall.


Furthermore, a well-organized business environment enhances overall efficiency and productivity. SecureSpace Self Storage can be an excellent resource for companies needing to store physical items that are not required on a daily basis, such as old records or excess inventory. By keeping the workspace free from clutter, employees can focus better and complete tasks more quickly. Additionally, categorizing and labeling digital files and physical items ensures that everything can be found easily when needed. This streamlined approach not only saves time but also reduces stress, contributing to a more positive workplace atmosphere. Prioritizing organization sets a solid foundation for growth and success in any business.

 

B is for Branding

Advertising the company in an effective manner is a priority at all times. Digital marketing instantly removes the need to use paper and delivers immediate client interactions. PPC services don’t only offer greener marketing. They offer leaner marketing as your ads can be tailored to target a very specific audience. You can’t do this with traditional media, meaning many of your posters and magazine inserts will end up in the trash. Social media and SEO are examples of further steps you may wish to take. In addition to reducing the carbon footprint, it can boost lead generation. Being an eco-friendly company is a major part of your brand. Don’t be afraid to celebrate it with greener packing materials.

C is for Communication

Communication can make or break many aspects of your business. Paper usage probably isn’t the first issue you consider, but the impacts are fairly significant. A team meeting held via video conferencing reduces paper note-taking and minutes recording. Meanwhile, emails and team messaging Apps can be supported by project management tools. The collaborative nature reduces paper usage and removes any threat of confusion. In turn, individual team members will produce better results while the collective output improves. While you won’t remove the need for paper entirely, it’s possible that you could see a 90% decline. When added to the green rewards of reduced business travel, it can transform the venture forever.

It only takes a few weeks to embrace winning habits, and their impacts will last a lifetime. If each employee gains a small reduction, the company’s overall situation will look brighter than ever.

 

Simple Steps To Make Your Office Space More Eco-Friendly

By Julie Starr • 07 Oct, 2024
Becoming more eco-friendly and running a greener business is a responsibility that business owners really need to think more about. The good news is that if you spend a lot of time in your office, there are plenty of ways to make it more eco-friendly without having to overhaul everything and start again (which isn’t just disruptive, but expensive too). So, if you’re ready to get started, here are some simple steps to make your office space more eco-friendly; read on to find out more. Use Energy-Efficient Lighting This idea is a simple one that you can do no matter what else might be on your list of tasks - it’s quick, easy, and really makes a difference; change your light bulbs to something more energy efficient. If you’re still using traditional fluorescent bulbs, it’s time to upgrade to LED which doesn’t just last longer, but also uses a lot less energy. They’re easy to install and they’ll help you cut down on your office’s energy usage almost instantly. If possible, you should make the most of natural light too, so think about rearranging your workspace to let in more sunlight, which saves energy and can boost your mood - it’s a win-win that you can do right away. Prioritize Air Quality The air you breathe matters, and keeping it clean can do wonders for your health and the planet. One way to improve air quality is by adding plants to your workspace because plants are natural air purifiers, and as a bonus, they’ll make your office feel more inviting. Another great idea is to make sure your office’s HVAC system is working efficiently, and having air duct cleaning done by professionals is an easy step you can take to improve air quality and ensure your heating and cooling systems aren’t wasting energy. Clean air ducts mean cleaner air, less strain on your system, and even lower energy bills, so it’s a simple but really effective thing to do. Switch To Reusable Products If your office is still stocking up on single-use plastic items, it’s time for a change - swap your disposable cups, utensils, and plates for reusable ones and you’ll be surprised at how much waste to eliminate. And what about encouraging people to bring their own mugs and water bottles to work? Give them tea, coffee, and water to refill everything with, and you’ll be doing your bit to help the planet and have less waste to deal with as well. And don’t stop with these things either - there are loads of reusable products that could be useful in your office. You could have refillable pens and ink cartridges for your printer, for example. Go Paperless Speaking of your printer, is that an office machine you actually need? If you were to go digital and aim for a paperless office , you might be able to do away with the printer, which means less money spent on ink and paper, and less energy used altogether. You should be able to set up a system where documents can be shared online and stored electronically, and there are plenty of tools around to help you do exactly that (and much more). If you don’t need to print something and you don’t need a physical copy of a document, don’t make one - just use the digital version instead and you’ll be a lot more eco-friendly.

3 Most Unsustainable Industries & What They're Doing To Be More Eco-Conscious

By Julie Starr • 04 Oct, 2024
Sustainability often gets pushed on the common person. Joe Public is told to be more sustainable with their daily habits as the government pushes for more eco-friendly measures. This is all well and good - but does it really matter when 71% of greenhouse gas emissions come from just 100 companies around the world? Small business owners are desperate to prove their sustainability, but what are bigger companies in some of the most polluting industries doing to help? We’ve taken three of the least sustainable sectors on the planet and explored the unique ways they’re trying to cut down on emissions and be more eco-friendly. Mining Any industry revolving around drilling underground will not be very environmentally friendly! Mining causes a lot of pollution, but its unsustainability often comes from the way it damages local environments and ecosystems. So, what is this industry doing to change things? It’s largely focusing on more responsible mining practices to reduce waste and mitigate the impact on local environments. This is done through mining dust suppression systems to prevent airborne pollution, reforesting mining sites when they’re no longer in use, and recycling as many materials as possible. Is it perfect? No, but it’s a step in the right direction. Fossil Fuels Shock horror; the fossil fuels industry is the most damaging to our environment. Finding ways to change the scope of this sector is the key to ensuring a better future for all. Some companies in this industry are trying to do this through carbon capture and storage. This is a technique where CO2 emissions are captured before they’re released into the atmosphere and stored underground. Realistically, the main thing fossil fuel companies should be doing is pushing for more renewable energy sources. Many are doing this - though reports suggest they’re not investing as much as they should. If fossil fuel companies dumped more money into developing biofuels and other renewable sources, pollution from this industry would drop dramatically. Fashion The most unbelievable stat to take from this post is that the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of our global carbon footprint . That’s remarkable (and worrying), considering how most of us don’t view it as a “dangerous” industry. Fast fashion is the main problem; poorly-made goods are pumped out at a rapid rate, and consumers constantly buy new things. Fashion companies are trying their best to resolve this. Most big brands will now have sustainable lines using recyclable materials. Consumers also hold the key to solving this problem: stop buying new clothes all the time and wear yours for longer. Or buy pre-owned clothes to slow down the fashion production line. Companies can still do more as well: they are trying to adopt more eco-friendly production processes that use less water and energy. The moral of this post is that everyone can do their bit to fight for a more sustainable future. Keep this in mind for your small business . It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in; there will always be ways to promote eco-friendly practices.
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