Publish on: 21 March 2023 at 17:34
In today’s world, businesses of all types are becoming more conscious of their environmental impact. Legal businesses are no exception, and many are looking for ways to reduce the environmental impact caused by their business printing. The good news is that there are many sustainable solutions available that can help legal businesses significantly reduce their paper usage and improve their environmental impact.
Alternative solutions
One of the most effective ways for legal businesses to reduce the environmental impact caused by business printing is to switch to digital document management and communication methods. This can include using email and electronic signing to reduce the need for paper, as well as using cloud-based storage solutions to store and access documents and files remotely. By digitising and storing documents electronically, legal businesses can greatly reduce their paper usage and improve their environmental impact.
Double-sided printing
Another important strategy for legal businesses to reduce the environmental impact caused by business printing is to use double-sided printing and reduce the font size and margins on documents. This can help to save paper and reduce the amount of paper used in the course of business. Additionally, businesses can invest in energy-efficient printers and toners that have a lower environmental impact and recycle or responsibly dispose of used paper and toner cartridges.
Sustainable paper suppliers
Another key strategy for legal businesses is to find sustainable paper sources, such as recycled or FSC-certified paper. FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper is sustainable paper, and it comes from responsibly managed forests that meet strict environmental and social standards. By using recycled or FSC-certified paper, legal businesses can help to promote sustainable forestry practices and reduce the environmental impact of their paper usage.
Employee education
In addition to these strategies, it’s also important for legal businesses to educate their employees on the importance of reducing printing and encourage them to print only when necessary. This can help to reduce the overall amount of paper used in the course of business. Additionally, legal businesses can encourage remote work and use video conferencing to avoid physical meetings and travel, which can also help to reduce paper usage.
Paperless billing
Another solution for legal businesses is to use paperless billing and invoicing. This can greatly reduce the amount of paper used in the course of business and improve the company’s environmental impact.
Paper offsetting
Another solution that legal businesses can implement is to use PrintReleaf. It is a software platform that helps businesses to measure, track, and offset their paper usage by automatically planting trees in deforested areas around the world. The company partners with reforestation organizations to plant trees in areas where they are most needed, and businesses can choose the region where they want their trees planted. This helps to offset the environmental impact of their paper usage and promote sustainable forestry practices. Additionally, it can also be used as a tool for companies to offset their carbon footprint.
Follow me printing
Finally, legal businesses can also implement the “Follow Me Printing” or “Pull Printing” feature in their printing systems. This allows users to submit print jobs to a central print server, and then release the job at the printer they choose. It requires the user to identify themselves at the printer using a card, pin or another form of authentication, this way the user only prints what is needed and it ultimately helps to reduce paper waste. This function can be especially useful in large organizations or businesses where there are many printers in different locations, it allows the user to print a document from their computer and release it at any printer of their choice. This feature allows for more efficient use of printers and can help reduce paper waste by preventing the printing of unnecessary documents.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many sustainable solutions available that legal businesses can implement to reduce the environmental impact caused by business printing. These solutions include switching to digital document management and communication methods, using double-sided printing and reducing the font size and margins, investing in energy-efficient printers and toners, recycling paper and responsibly disposing of used paper and toner cartridges, finding sustainable paper sources, educating employees on the importance of reducing printing, encourage remote work and using video conferencing and using Print Releaf. By implementing these solutions, legal businesses can greatly reduce their paper usage and improve their environmental impact.