To set the stage, it is helpful to understand that paper and paper products make up 36% of municipal solid waste. When looking at the life cycle analysis of paper, it is necessary to consider that the largest percentage of what we are shoving into the landfills is paper. This brings us to two solutions on the downstream side of the issue. One is reducing our demand for paper and better ways to recycle rather than throwing paper in the trash.
There are the trite and obvious ideas of buying recycled paper and printing on both sides of the page. Some suggest picking up the phone instead of send a letter or increasing the margins of the word process. Small things do add up, but it seems that we are ignoring the larger, more pragmatic methods of reducing paper use.
The upstream concerns of paper manufacture begin with the harvesting of trees that are then turned into wood pulp. This whole process is a subject that is easily investigated, and the curious will discover that the chemicals used are not harmless. One of the most problematic chemicals is chlorine that is used to bleach the paper to the expected white color.
Waste water from pulp and paper factories is a relatively unreported issue, but the waste water includes various toxic chemicals like Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as terpenes, alcohols, phenols, methanol, acetone, chloroform, methyl ethyl ketone; detergents and surfactants; dyes and pigments; acids; and alkaline solutions.
The paper industry creates air pollutants that contain carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxides, carbon monoxide, ammonia, VOCs, and minute particles like dust and ash. With every thing considered, paper making could not be considered, paper making could not be a Green business. The downstream impact of wasted created by the paper inustry brings everyone to the unmistakable conculsion that paper use is a serious environmental problem and one that could be tremendously improved.
Most paper reduction strategies involve printing both sides of paper, copying less, stopping magazines and junk mail. Many call for increased use of email. No one should ignore the importance of using recycled paper in the daily office operation. There are dozens of easy-to-apply ideas. However, one very effective solution seems to have eluded the environmentally-astute organizations like the well-respected NRDC. That solution is the paperless office that works to literally eliminate paper use in the office.
The paperless system often includes: 1)Virtual meeting services that will solve travel and wasted time, 2) Software programs, such as accounting, billing and payroll, 3) Replacing fax machines with online services that can turn faxes into emails with a push of a button, 4) Document storage and retrieval programs.
The problem with these Green solutions is that they require a ramp up time during installation. These innovations also require the training of the employees to a new system. The early transition is a reality, but the results are tremendous. Installing these paperless solutions will definitely reduce paper use, decrease paper waste, and it will speed up the average office. The savings realized are not just in paper costs, but worker costs. Fewer workers will actually do more work. Streamlining a business has a number of benefits. One of which is the positive response from customers who receive fast and correct responses to their inquiries.
To earn a Green Business there must be a proven, trust worthy, and authentic certification. There is an enormous amount of greenwashing, green hype, and green lies that Green businesses must be avoid. Green businesses can do this by being certified through Green Business League, which is a nationally renowned authority. Remember, Green businesses are earned not bought.
