How Going Digital Can Save the Environment
Going digital caused quite the stir in the early 2010s, with banks, businesses, schools and accountants moving from paper to digital possibilities, and urging their clients and pupils to do so too.
Gone are the days of wasted bank statements, outdated invoices, and useless faxes flooding our bookshelves and filing cabinets, now both homes and workplaces have taken on a relatively paper-free appearance.
According to Recycle Nation, approximately 75% of waste generated by people in the US is recyclable, but only about 30% of this is actually recycled.
Not only does this startling fact put us off excessively using paper and other recyclable materials, but it also questions our ability to separate trash. A green office isn’t only about paper, though, as there are a number of ways to reduce the environmental impact of your business by going digital – no matter what the size or industry.
Switch to Digital Newsletters
We all remember the days of flyering, and although they are not quite dead just yet, many are steering clear of creating rubbish for the sake of promotion. A solution to this, is of course the digital newsletter.
If you’re a small to medium-sized business, start considering more communication with your existing customers by creating a newsletter marketing campaign.
Informing patrons on new products or services, or even info on upcoming sales, works greatly via newsletters and is likewise a great way to spread the word without physical flyers.
Use Less Paper If Printing Must Be Done
We understand that sometimes printing a page is absolutely essential. When these cases arise, Microsoft Excel and Word both have options to have all the data on a single page.
This option is called ‘Fit to One Page’ on Excel and ‘Shrink One Page’ on Word, and although you’re still printing, it’s one way to reduce waste.
The Option for Remote Office
It’s thought that 27% of the United States’ greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation.
When it comes to offices building a better future, allowing employees to have the option of working from home could save gas emitted from vehicles, reduced traffic jams, wear and tear on the roads, and time spent looking for a parking spot.
Furthermore, if there are fewer people in the office, then they’ll have no choice but to get used to digital methods, like using Dropbox or sending more emails, instead of printing out documents.
About the Author Jess Nielsen
Jess has spent years travelling the world full-time. Nothing else comes close to the reaches of this emotive activity...