Paperless Solutions: Tips For Going Green
A PAPERLESS ENVIRONMENT – YES!
More than ever, we have paperless solutions that are affordable and convenient. We are so used to taking paper for granted, but paper comes from somewhere and that somewhere is trees. We have a learned addiction to paper and now we need to learn how to go paperless! A motivating fact…If we cut our paper use in half we could free up the space equivalent to over 1,000 landfills! The two most important words to remember when it comes to paper are…recycled and paperless!
OFFICE PAPER
Whether you use it at work or at home, buy environmentally friendly paper; that is, recycled paper. We could save a forest larger than the state of Florida every year if American businesses alone buy recycled paper. Imagine the impact we could have worldwide! Many papers do have some recycled content and that is helpful, but look for the paper that is 100% recycled. It exists and it is not hard to find, check your local office supply store. (Another hint…post consumer paper takes less energy to make than pre-consumer). Look for 100% recycled papers when purchasing any office paper products such as office folders, office tablets, copier paper, letterhead, sticky notes, envelopes, etc.
HOUSEHOLD PAPER
We also use toilet paper, napkins and paper towel on a daily basis.
TOILET PAPER - In this case, paperless is not an option, but there are many manufacturers that make recycled toilet paper free of chlorine. Many more department stores and grocery stores have started carrying recycled toilet paper.
If the stores you frequent don’t carry a green option, request it. Some companies that make recycled toilet paper are:
Seventh Generation
Green Forest
Natural Value
365
GreenPeace has available a recycled tissue and toilet paper guide, which will help you in your green purchase selection/decision.
PAPER TOWEL/NAPKINS - You may think you can’t go paperless when it comes to paper towel, but you can! Micro fiber clothes are absorbent, don’t break down when you try to scrub stains and you can reuse them after they have been washed. The same idea applies to napkins; you can get some lovely cloth napkins that you can wash when they get dirty. If you do purchase paper towel or napkins, look for recycled (there’s that word again) paper. The companies mentioned above (under toilet paper heading) also make paper towel and napkins.
BILLS/ RECEIPTS/BANKING
BILLS - Going paperless is a snap when it comes to paying bills. Most companies offer a paperless option when it comes to paying your bills. If they do not, let them know that they should think about it; not only does it save trees and paper usage, but it is more convenient and timely.
BANKING - Request you get your banking statements online, too. They are easier to manage and you can save them without the clutter that goes along with boxes of paperwork.
RECEIPTS - Only take receipts if they are necessary, otherwise just say ‘NO!’ Places like fuel stations and restaurants often ask if you would like a receipt and most of the time we take them only to throw them out right away…what a waste! Next time, save paper…save a tree…and decline the receipt.
JUNK MAIL
Junk mail is so frustrating! You did not request companies that you’ve never heard of to send you a catalog and yet it seems like you get one every other day. You made a donation to an organization you support and now you are getting bombarded weekly, if not daily with mail asking for donations. It makes you wonder if your money is going to pay for mailings or going to help fight the cause!
How do you stop it? Try to make your donations online and if there is a box to check to opt-out of mailing then choose that. Stop Junk Mail gives you some pointers on how to stop the junk mail from coming. In the meantime, be sure your junk mail is hitting the recycling bin and not the garbage bin. You can recycle envelopes too, even the ones that have windows.
PACKAGING/SHIPPING
Think about all of the paper that is sent around the world and that includes the actual packaging itself. Some simple tips: Reuse shipping boxes as gift boxes, don’t double up on paper (don’t put an envelope in a larger envelope), e-fax documents rather than ship them, etc.
TAXES/ACCOUNTING
There are many paperless accounting software options out there, check them out and see what one works for you. Also, file your taxes online, it reduces your chance of error as well as your paper use!
BAGS
Go paperless and use canvas bags when shopping.
GREETING CARDS
Everybody loves to be remembered when celebrating special occasions or if they are going through a rough time. Many greeting cards are now made with some amount of recycled paper and if you cannot find those, create your own card using decorative recycled sheets of paper you can purchase separately.
Also, consider sending E-cards You save money, time and trees! They are free!
Save forests; use paper wisely, just because we can plant more trees does not mean it is a sustainable practice. True, trees are renewable resources, but not if you use them faster than they can regenerate and it can take a number of years for trees to grow before they can be harvested for paper.
We need trees for more than just paper; they are the lungs of the Earth, provide habitat for critters and are essential for our life! Take care of them and they will take care of us.
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