What are the Environmental Benefits of Optimising the Document lifecycle?
Enhancing the document life cycle can have a positive contribution to the environment. Here are some of the ways that effective document life cycle management can reduce your environmental impact:
1. Reliance on Paper
One of the most significant ways in which document life cycle management can benefit the environment is by reducing the amount of paper used. The amount of paper waste generated by businesses every year is staggering. It is estimated that the average office worker in the United Kingdom uses 10,000 sheets of paper annually, and up to 50% of that paper ends up in the trash.
By implementing electronic document management systems and reducing reliance on hard copies, you can significantly reduce your paper usage. This reduction in paper usage not only saves trees, but it also reduces the carbon footprint associated with paper production and disposal. According to the Environmental Paper Network, the pulp and paper industry is the fourth largest industrial emitter of greenhouse gases, making up around 6% of global emissions. By reducing paper usage, you can help reduce these emissions and contribute to a more sustainable future.
2. Energy reduction
In addition to reducing paper usage, implementing electronic document management systems can also help reduce the energy consumption associated with printing, copying, and physical document storage. Printing, copying, and storing physical documents can consume a significant amount of energy, particularly in larger companies with a high volume of documents.
By eliminating the need for physical file cabinets and reducing the amount of printing and copying required reducing your energy usage and associated carbon emissions. According to a study by the Carbon Trust, switching from physical to digital document management can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%. This reduction in energy usage not only benefits the environment, but it can also help businesses save on energy costs.
3. Emissions reduction from travel
Effective document life cycle management can also help reduce transportation emissions, particularly in cases where physical documents need to be shipped or transported to different locations. The transportation of physical documents can generate a significant amount of emissions, particularly in cases where documents need to be shipped long distances.
By implementing cloud-based storage solutions and electronic document-sharing systems, you can reduce the need for physical document transportation and associated emissions. This not only benefits the environment but can also help businesses save on transportation costs.
4. Improved waste management
Effective document life cycle management can also help improve waste management, particularly in cases where physical documents need to be disposed of. Disposing of physical copies can be a significant challenge for businesses, particularly in cases where documents contain sensitive information.
By implementing clear guidelines for document disposal and encouraging recycling and shredding of sensitive documents, you can reduce the amount of waste in landfills. This not only benefits the environment, but it can also help businesses comply with regulations around document disposal and protect sensitive information.
5. Reduced water usage
While not as significant as the other environmental benefits, effective document life cycle management can also help reduce water usage in cases where paper production and disposal require significant amounts of water. The production of paper is a water-intensive process, and it is estimated that it takes around 10 litres of water to produce a single sheet of A4 paper.
By reducing paper usage and implementing effective waste management practices, you can indirectly reduce your water usage and associated environmental impact.
