Can You Cut Down on Paper?

by Kori Rodley Irons | More from this Blogger

14 Dec 2007 01:58 PM

I know there are a few people out there who have not given up on the dream of the "paperless" office. Even if you have found that you cannot cut out the use of paper entirely in your home business-are there ways you can cut back? The truth is, paper is getting increasingly expensive. It isn't a cheap and easy resource or supply any longer and a little conservation may show up in your bottom line, as well as give you the satisfaction of knowing you are doing your part to help the environment.

Maybe now is a good time to revisit the "scratch paper" idea. Prior to easy paper recycling, I remember that using the back side of paper and using snippets of cut-up paper that was no longer needed was considered good business practice. If you are buying stickee notes and fresh note pads-consider saving paper and using scratch paper instead. This practice has fallen a bit out of favor, but is a great way to get the most out of less paper.

What do you use for shipping and packing when/if you send out products? Is there a way you can cut back on paper there? Recycle packing materials or use plastic bags or other items for "cushion."? Are you still wrapping boxes with extra paper or using large paper shipping labels and invoices? What can you do to use less there?

Printing on both sides of the paper (duplex printing) is a fantastic way to cut back on paper usage in a business. I don't know how many things I get that are printed on just one side of the paper. While I can cut these up or use the back as scratch paper-printing on both sides of the paper in the first place can often cut the use of paper in half!

Also: Is the Paperless Office Possible?

Reducing Waste

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