Going paperless is part of a "green" office, but can have an even greater impact on efficiency. By eliminating paper from the office, supply costs and storage space can be significantly reduced. Instead of file folders and cabinets, electronic backups in multiple forms can eliminate the need for storage and decrease the amount of time it takes to retrieve archived documents. No more wading through the recesses of the document archive.
Another part of reducing paper consumption is to shift your office communication paradigm to email and electronic messaging. There isn't much point in printing documents for intra-office use when these same documents can be attached to emails and the paper and ink saved for an occasion when a hard copy is actually necessary.
For many, the idea of shifting to a paperless office is unfamiliar and possibly a little scary, but with more businesses finding the multiplicity of benefits with this strategy, it seems that the paperless office is an inevitable part of the future of business. Get on the bandwagon early and reap the benefits of good PR and reduced expense.
