To become a Green business requires more than token efforts. There are literally hundreds of Green solutions that should be applied to any business operation, and yet most self-acclaimed Green businesses apply only a few modest Green ideas. Paper is one of the core issues of any Green business, and yet little has been literally done to address paper concerns in a business.
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 simple ideas of printing on both sides of the page or buying recycled paper. Some would suggest using the phone instead of mailing a letter. Others want us to increase the margins on our word process. These small changes do add up, but it seems that we are still ignoring the larger, more practical solutions for 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 again another unreported issue. The waste water is a mixture of various toxic chemicals such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are also commonly found in the making of shoes and the installation of carpets. When considering this, a paper making could not be considered a Green business. The downstream impact of the waste created by paper brings the concerned individual to the unmistakable conclusion is that paper use is a serious environmental issue and one that could be tremendously improved.
Some of the air pollutants released by the paper industry include carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxides, carbon monoxide, ammonia, VOCs and particulate matter like ash and dust. All in all, the making of paper could not be considered a Green process. When we consider the downstream impact of the waste created through paper products, the unmistakable conclusion is that paper use is a major environmental issue and one that can be easily improved.
Paper reduction strategies include printing both sides of paper, copying less, stopping junk mail and magazines, as well as increasing email use. We should not forget the importance of using recycled paper for the office. There are dozens of simple ideas, but one very powerful solution seems to have escaped the environmentally-astute sources like the well respected NRDC. The paperless office is not one of the Green solutions, but it should be.
Paperless solutions often include: 1) Document storage and retrieval programs, 2) Software programs for accounting, billing and payroll, 3) Replacing fax machines with online services that will turn faxes into email, 4) Virtual meeting services that can eliminate travel and wasted time.
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. - 26221
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 simple ideas of printing on both sides of the page or buying recycled paper. Some would suggest using the phone instead of mailing a letter. Others want us to increase the margins on our word process. These small changes do add up, but it seems that we are still ignoring the larger, more practical solutions for 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 again another unreported issue. The waste water is a mixture of various toxic chemicals such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are also commonly found in the making of shoes and the installation of carpets. When considering this, a paper making could not be considered a Green business. The downstream impact of the waste created by paper brings the concerned individual to the unmistakable conclusion is that paper use is a serious environmental issue and one that could be tremendously improved.
Some of the air pollutants released by the paper industry include carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxides, carbon monoxide, ammonia, VOCs and particulate matter like ash and dust. All in all, the making of paper could not be considered a Green process. When we consider the downstream impact of the waste created through paper products, the unmistakable conclusion is that paper use is a major environmental issue and one that can be easily improved.
Paper reduction strategies include printing both sides of paper, copying less, stopping junk mail and magazines, as well as increasing email use. We should not forget the importance of using recycled paper for the office. There are dozens of simple ideas, but one very powerful solution seems to have escaped the environmentally-astute sources like the well respected NRDC. The paperless office is not one of the Green solutions, but it should be.
Paperless solutions often include: 1) Document storage and retrieval programs, 2) Software programs for accounting, billing and payroll, 3) Replacing fax machines with online services that will turn faxes into email, 4) Virtual meeting services that can eliminate travel and wasted time.
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. - 26221
About the Author:
To earn a Green Business there must be a proven, trust worthy, and valid certification. There is an vast amount of greenwashing, propaganda, and green lies that Green businesses must be avoid. Green businesses can do this by being qualified through Green Business League, which is a nationally renowned authority. Remember, Green businesses are earned not bought.
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