Business Guide to Paper Reduction - Tufts Office of Sustainability

Conclusion
There is considerable potential for any company or organization to reduce paper consumption.
Rather than aiming for a virtually paperless office—which few companies will likely accomplish
in the foreseeable future—and calling the effort a failure when the goal is not quickly attained,
success can be measured in a company’s ability to become more economically and
environmentally efficient over time.
There is neither one simple path to reducing paper consumption, nor one quick fix. Because so
many communication methods and habits are deeply entrenched in paper processes, the greater
the commitment to long-term implementation of a paper reduction policy, the greater the
likelihood of success. Additionally, there are numerous other areas where use of wood-based
products could be reduced as a cost-saving and environmentally preferable initiative, such as
using electric dryers instead of paper towels or redesigning packaging to use less cardboard. As
each company audits and assesses ways to reduce its paper consumption, its efforts can be
expanded to include all wood-based products.
As the case studies in this report indicate, reducing paper can result in savings of thousands or
even millions of dollars. With this understanding, reducing paper consumption really is a wise
investment. Not doing so will result in an ongoing drain of important economic and
environmental resources.
Reducing paper consumption really is a wise investment. Not doing
so will result in an ongoing drain of important
economic and environmental resources.
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