Home Office – Part 3 – Paper

Apart from electricity the biggest problem in the office can be the use of paper.  Think of how much printing, packaging, note pads, post it notes, leaflets, bills, labels, catalogues, receipts etc you use each day.  Most people hold onto important documents for up to 5 years, think of all of that paper!  Stored paper costs more than you realise; space (money you spend on rent/mortgage), energy (the utilities it takes to heat, cool and light this space) and most importantly none of this stored paper goes into recycling. 

Reduce

• Simple reduce the amount of paper you use.
• Read documents on your PC.
• Print on both sides of paper.
• Make the most of CDs/CDRWs and digital memory sticks to organise your documents.
• Create an efficient filing system on your computer so that you don′t need to print out any documents. 
• Scan important documents, bills and invoices so that you can recycle straight away.
• Choose electronic or online invoices/billing.
• Choose online/digital magazines rather than hard copies.
• Ask for your name to be removed from junk mail lists. 
• Use scraps of paper to make small note pads. 

Reuse

• Reuse paper and cardboard files and folders – turn them inside out or add new labels.
• Buy 100% recycled paper, certified sustainable paper (trees grown in sustainable forests e.g. FSC) & reusable messenger envelopes.
• Buy locally produced paper.
• Avoid post it notes – create your own with cut up waste paper and a bulldog clip. 

Recycle

• Recycle all paper waste – scarp, shredding, boxes, card packaging and junk mail. 

Lastly, half the battle is being mindful of what you are using every day.  Make changes to your habits and routines in the home office can help the environment, however small.

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