Top Ways to Reduce your Business Paper Waste

It's inevitable, we all know when you are in business, printing on paper just seems so unavoidable. Whether its web pages, reports, spreadsheets, images, presentations, business cards, advertising materials, etc. If you are looking for some simple ways to reduce your business and advertising waste so you can shrink your negative environmental impact. I have listed some of my top ways for doing just that. Doing the most you can will help make your work environment a more pleasant place to work and it just looks good for business. Whether you are greening your business already or are looking to jump in on this necessary trend, these are some simple tips to add to or getting started going "Green".

Let's face it. "We" business owners with places of business are some of the biggest polluters. Hey, its all for profit, so lets just do what it takes right? Well, we have a huge responsibility and the only way we are to change things is to start doing. Easier said that done? Check this out, it may be easier than you thought.

Here are some simple effective ways to get started making a difference:

1.Digitize
We have the power at out fingertips. Keep things on the computer. Recycle your fax machine and do emails only. Why is anyone still using fax? View your files on the computer and show your reports and presentations online instead of printing them out. Keep files saved digitally instead of a filing cabinet. Next time that newsletter goes out, send it via email. If you think about this one, and the power of the computer you will start to come up with your own ideas.

2.Print FSC Certified Paper
When it comes to printing your advertising materials, anything from business cards, letterhead, direct mailers, brochures, catalogs, sales presentations, annual reports, newsletters, etc. Work with an advertising company or Printer that specializes or has knowledge in environmental printing. Bolt Advertising, website here, is a source for environmental printing solutions. FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council. They oversee the use of making paper and wood products using sustainable forests that don't deplete the natural forests that are vital to the earth.

3.Print on Recycled Paper
If FCS doesn't suit your business. Try printing your ad materials on recycled papers. Beware, not all papers are 100% recycled material. Always look for high post consumer content. Recycled paper isn't always the cheapest, but when deciding between something more cost effective or causing massive waste, weigh the options and decide what is best for you. More importantly what is best for our earth.

4.Buy Recycled Printing Paper
All office supply stores carry recycled printing paper. Again, make sure the paper has a high post consumer content.

5.Print on Both Sides of Paper
If printing out a document, email etc make sure when you are finished place the paper in a reusable stack or right back into the printer and print on the backside. If its not an official paper or document, chances are you won't be using the first print for anything very important or very long for that matter. Flip it over and use it again to print out your quick requirements.

6.Buy Recycled office Supplies
Paper, envelopes, pens, pencils, refillable pens, bath towels, file folders etc. These are all items that can be purchased at office supply stores made with recycled materials.