How to Save Money on Paper When Paperless Isn’t an Option
“Paperless” is the office dream and the ever-increasing array of digital solutions seems to promise that dream can become reality. But paper isn’t going anywhere; the need for good, old-fashioned paper staunchly opposes the digital age. Paper remains an essential supply for most businesses, whether it’s used for printing, record-keeping, or note-taking.
However, it’s still true that the cost of paper and its impact on the environment can be significant. Finding ways to reduce paper usage and save money is a skill every office manager needs to develop. Here are some ideas:
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Buy in Bulk
Purchasing paper in bulk significantly reduces the cost per unit. Many general office supply stores offer generous discounts on bulk purchases, so it’s worth considering buying in larger quantities to save money in the long run. One caveat: you’ll need space to store all that extra paper, so be sure to weight carefully the cost savings against the cost of storage.
Use Both Sides
Encourage employees to print on both sides of the paper to reduce paper; double-sided printing reduces consumption by up to 50% without changing anything else. Set your printers to print double-sided by default and attach messages to printers and copiers reminding your staff to go double.
Choose Recycled Paper
Recycled paper is an excellent alternative to virgin paper, as it’s often cheaper and comparable in quality. Look for paper with high post-consumer content and certifications like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) to ensure the paper was responsibly sourced. Be careful, though. Some cheap recycled papers can damage your printers and copiers; frequent repairs will quickly eliminate all you saved on paper. Work with your supplier to find a good quality recycled paper that won’t jam you up.
Go Digital
There are a ton of digital solutions out there designed to reduce the need for superfluous paper. Consider implementing paperless solutions such as electronic signatures, digital invoices, and online payment processing to reduce paper usage. These solutions not only save money on paper costs but also streamline business processes and reduce the risk of lost or misplaced paper documents. Take a look around to determine where you can eliminate the need for paper.
Reduce Unnecessary Printing
Encourage employees to think twice before printing a document. Often, emails and digital documents can replace printed copies.
Recycle
One way to raise awareness of unnecessary printing is to foster a culture of recycling. Place paper recycling bins throughout your office; seeing the blue recycling bins serves as a gentle reminder to go easy on paper usage. Recycling paper not only helps the environment but can also save your business money on disposal costs.
Start Saving Today
Saving money on paper for your business is as easy as following these tips. Remember, every penny counts, and implementing one or more of these practices adds up to significant savings over time – savings for your business and the environment.