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What if companies could cut costs and help the environment with the simple click of a mouse? One-sided has been the default printer setting since I can remember. One-sided printing is the norm in our society and most people hit print and never give it a second thought. However, I am asking you to give it a second thought. Just imagine how much paper we could save by simply printing on both sides of each piece of paper.
I know some printers don’t have the capability to print on both sides or it requires someone to take the paper out, turn it over, and put it back in the printer in order to print on both sides. I agree that having to take the paper out and turn it over yourself is too much of a hassle and takes way too much time, especially if its a larger document.
However, many offices have newer printers that have the technology to print on both sides of the paper without a person having to manually take the paper out and turn it over.
This is where I think companies should take advantage of double-sided printing. Since paper seems to be a major cost, why not cut that cost nearly in half by printing on both sides of the paper? It seems like a relatively easy-to-implement plan that won’t disrupt company operations. Companies would only have to set all printer default settings to double-sided and they would be done! Companies should still allow the option for one-sided printing; however, the majority of documents should be printed on both sides.
As you can see, this is how companies can cut costs and help the environment all with the simple click of a mouse. So if you have a business or work for a company that has the technology for double-sided printing, suggest this in the next meeting and see what happens. What are your thoughts?
Business cards are a staple in today’s society. A business card is much more than a piece of paper. Each card is a form of communication that is vital in today’s business world.
Many people store, collect, and keep business cards for future reference. Some people store cards in some sort of roll-a-dex while others upload the information into electronic address books. Nevertheless, business cards are an important part of the corporate world.
Many companies are going green and urging employees to use less paper and recycle. One thing many people probably forget is most business cards can be recycled.
In addition to being recyclable, many companies can further their commitment to going green by printing company business cards on recycled paper. The business cards should look the same and may cost a little more; however, it is worth the investment. If printed on recycled paper, each company should be given the option to have a little recycling emblem appear on each card. This emblem will reinforce the company’s commitment to the environment and will look good in the public’s eyes.
I just ordered some business cards and paid a little extra to have them printed on recycled paper. I chose to have the recycling emblem displayed on the back of the card. I will let you know how the cards turn out, but from the pictures I don’t think I will even be able to tell the difference.
Now you may be thinking to yourself this won’t make a difference. However, it’s not only the action of printing on recycled paper that will make the difference; it is the statement that goes along with the action.
Going green in this little way could make a difference. Just imagine if all business cards were eventually printed on recycled paper. Remember, it’s the little things that matter. So next time you have to order business cards, consider having the cards printed on recycled paper.
Banks are pushing the use of online bill pay and debit/credit cards instead of paper checks in an effort to be more environmentally conscious. However, according to an article by Ann Carrns for the New York Time’s Blog, Bucks, titled “ING Direct’s Paperless Account now Offers Paper Checks,” there is still a need for paper checks.
In the article, Carrns reports the online bank ING Direct, which publicizes its Electronic Orange checking as “paperless,” has begun offering paper checks.
In the article, the bank’s head of project strategy, Todd Sandler, said the bank isn’t encouraging the use of paper checks. Sandler said, “Our hope is that paper checks go the way of the abacus.” Even though most places accept debit/credit cards nowadays, many places simply don’t have the technology to accept debit/credit cards. This is where paper checks come into play.
In the article, Sandler said, “Our customers don’t want paper checks, but they actually need them.” According to a recent Federal Reserve Study, checks make up less than one-quarter of all non-cash purchases. Check payments declined seven percent between 2006-2009. That may sound like a lot; however, it still means billions of paper checks are used annually.
I know I personally only write a handful of checks each year. However, I usually write checks for bills or to make payments. Do you still use checks? If so, how many checks do you use and what for (bills, payments, birthdays, etc)? Do you think the paper check will prevail or will eventually lose out to electronic payments?
There seems to be an app for almost everything these days. Companies are looking to cut costs to keep up with today’s ever-growing technological era. In an effort to keep up with the times, Google released an app for paper catalogs.
According to an article by Tim Conneally titled “Google skips Web shopping, ports paper catalogs directly to iPad,” paper catalogs have been a staple in American retail since the 1860’s. However, it is simply impossible to ignore the popularity of tablets. Therefore, Google decided it would be best to offer tablet versions of paper catalogs as a free app for the iPad. It’s called Google Catalogs.
According to the article, other comparable apps usually take web-based content and put it in a magazine-style format, which is called “The Flipboard Treatment.” However, Google simply offers online versions of paper catalogs.
An article by Arthur Middleton Hughes titled “Catalogs: Paper or Web,” explains why paper catalogs are here to stay. Hughes explains that paper versions of catalogs can be carried around the house, hung on refrigerators, and be read pretty much anywhere anytime. On the other hand, web-based catalogs are passive devices and can only be read while the consumer is sitting in front of a computer. He concluded that web catalogs are primarily an ordering mechanism. Click here to read more from Hugh’s article explaining why paper catalogs are here to stay.
It seems paper catalogs may eventually be replaced with online versions. What are your thoughts? Do you think paper catalogs will continue to be a staple in American society or do you think online versions will eventually replace the paper versions?
Here is a YouTube video describing the free Google app, Google Catalogs.
With the down economy and skyrocketing gas prices, you may be wondering how these high gas prices are positively effecting the environment and the paper industry.
According to an article written by Lauren Melvin on WFMY News 2’s website titled “Gas Prices Trigger Switch from Plastic to Paper,” the high price of fuel is causing some manufacturers to switch from petroleum-based plastic packaging, also known as clam-shell packaging, to paperboard packaging.
In the article, James Gordon, President and CEO of Winston Packaging, said more companies are switching from plastic to paperboard for two reasons:
Cost
The environment
Gordon said many people try to recycle plastic; however, it can usually only be recycled once, so most of it ends up in the trash. On the other hand, paper can be recycled five-to-seven times annually.
According to the article, Gordon said he believes paperboard is a win-win because it is environmentally-friendly, cost-effective and easier to open than plastic.
How do you feel about this topic? Do you prefer plastic or paper packaging or are you indifferent?
