Can you go paper free for a day?
The Challenge: Try and go paper free for one day.
Are you an office paper hoarder? If you need to cut down on your paper usage, we’ve complied some useful tips on how you can achieve an (almost) paper free day…
Your Morning Brew
If you really can’t survive without your morning caffeine boost from your favourite coffee shop, why not consider taking your own reusable mug rather than using a takeaway paper cup? There are many options to choose from today from plastic, glass and silicone, that can be reused over again. Whilst many companies are developing recyclable versions, or offer a take back scheme, 2.5 billion coffee cups are used and thrown in the bin each year in the UK. Not to mention the plastic lids ending up in landfill!
Catch up with the headlines
If you enjoy reading your favourite newspaper on the train each morning why not opt to catch up with the latest headlines on your smartphone or tablet? A space saving option if you’re on a crowded train, and a more environmentally friendly way of keeping up to date with all the latest news and articles.
Hold that sneeze!
Suffering from a sniffle? Usually reach for the box of paper tissues? STOP! It may seem like you’re heading back in time but using a handkerchief to blow your nose is the gentler option for sore skin, not to mention the eco-friendlier choice.
Accidents happen
Before reaching for the paper kitchen towels to mop up spills, why not consider using cloths or towels that can be washed and used over again. As many paper towels are made from recycled paper, the fibres are not of good enough quality to be recycled again, so sadly end up in landfill.
Essential handwashing
As with the kitchen towel, using a paper towel to dry your hands is the less environmentally friendly choice. The latest air dryers use minimal amounts of electricity as well as drying your hands effectively and hygienically in around 10 seconds.
Before you press ‘print’ consider sending emails with attachments, avoid printing emails and large documents or policies for colleagues by filing them in a dedicated online folder in PDF format for all to view.
Make a note
Scrap your notebook for one day and consider trying a free online to-do list. You can also set reminders and diary dates via your online calendars to avoid paper diaries and calendars. A really handy choice and easiest to manage on your smartphone.
Bills, bills, bills
Take time to switch all bills and statements to paper-free versions where available. You often save money, plus it’s easier to manage and find statements in few clicks rather than sifting through paper records. Any documents that do need to be printed and kept must be securely stored then shredded when out of date or no longer required.
Post piling up?
If you receive mountains of post every day, consider asking the sender to go paperless. Any paper documents you do receive can be scanned in using a machine or even your smartphone / tablet. If the original does need to be kept, store it securely in a lockable cabinet; or if not, send it for shredding via your usual provider.
If you’ve not quite managed to be paper free and would like more information on secure shredding or recycling read more about our shredding services here.