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.
Furthermore, it would be good to understand that paper and paper products compose 36% of municipal solid waste. If we look at the cradle to the grave cycle of paper, it is important to know that the largest amount of what we are throwing into the landfills is paper. This actuality brings any smart person to two types of solutions on the downstream side of paper. Reducing how much paper we use and employing better methods to recycle paper rather than throwing paper in the trash can are Green solutions.
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 often starts with the harvesting of trees that are eventually turning into wood pulp. The process is something that is easily investigated, but the chemicals used are not mild. One of the most problematic is the chlorine that is used to bleach the paper to a bright white color.
Waste water from pulp and paper factories is also a relatively unreported issue. The waste water is a combination of various toxic chemicals like Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as terpenes, alcohols, methanol, phenols, acetone, chloroform, methyl ethyl ketone; detergents and surfactants; pigments; alkaline and acid 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.
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 include: 1) Document storage and retrieval software, 2) Replacing fax machines with online services that turn faxes into email, 3) Software solutions for accounting, payroll, and billing, 4) Virtual meeting software that can eliminate travel and save time.
The main problem with all of these Green solutions is that they require a ramp up time during installation. These new innovations also can require training of the employees to a new system. The beginning transition is a reality, but the results are enormous. Installing these paperless systems in your business will ultimately 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. Ultimately, fewer workers will actually do more work. Streamlining a business has a number of benefits. One positive response will come from customers who receive fast and correct responses to their exploration.
Furthermore, it would be good to understand that paper and paper products compose 36% of municipal solid waste. If we look at the cradle to the grave cycle of paper, it is important to know that the largest amount of what we are throwing into the landfills is paper. This actuality brings any smart person to two types of solutions on the downstream side of paper. Reducing how much paper we use and employing better methods to recycle paper rather than throwing paper in the trash can are Green solutions.
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 often starts with the harvesting of trees that are eventually turning into wood pulp. The process is something that is easily investigated, but the chemicals used are not mild. One of the most problematic is the chlorine that is used to bleach the paper to a bright white color.
Waste water from pulp and paper factories is also a relatively unreported issue. The waste water is a combination of various toxic chemicals like Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as terpenes, alcohols, methanol, phenols, acetone, chloroform, methyl ethyl ketone; detergents and surfactants; pigments; alkaline and acid 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.
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 include: 1) Document storage and retrieval software, 2) Replacing fax machines with online services that turn faxes into email, 3) Software solutions for accounting, payroll, and billing, 4) Virtual meeting software that can eliminate travel and save time.
The main problem with all of these Green solutions is that they require a ramp up time during installation. These new innovations also can require training of the employees to a new system. The beginning transition is a reality, but the results are enormous. Installing these paperless systems in your business will ultimately 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. Ultimately, fewer workers will actually do more work. Streamlining a business has a number of benefits. One positive response will come from customers who receive fast and correct responses to their exploration.
About the Author:
To earn a Green Business there need be a proven, trust worthy, and valid certification. There is an vast amount of greenwashing, green hype, and green dishonesty that Green businesses need be avoid. Green businesses can do this by being certified through Green Business League, which is a nationally renowned authority. Keep in mind, Green businesses are earned not buy.
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