How Paper Shredding is Saving the Environment
It’s more than just a piece of paper you are shredding. It’s also something that help better the environment if disposed of correctly.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, when you throw paper away, it becomes approximately 33% of the municipal sold waste stream, making the largest component of that waste stream. Why continue to add to the growth when you can do something to help solve the problem?
Recycle! It’s really that easy. When it comes to paper shredding, we recycle 100% of the paper that is shred. Recycling paper not only conserves resources, but also prevents emissions of greenhouse gasses and pollutants, saves energy, stimulates growth of greener technologies, creates jobs, and reduces the need for additional landfills.
The paper industry has set a goal to recycle and recover 70% of the paper consumed by Americans each year by 2020. One ton of recycled paper save 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space. That math adds up to saving an area that is approximately the same size as Washington D.C. Impressive at the least.
Do your part to help save the environment and shred. Use a service like ours and we will do the recycling for you. It’s as easy and simple as that.
Reduce Waste in Your Office
Fact #1: The average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper each year.
Fact #2: The United States has less than 5% of the world’s population, but consumes 30% of the world’s paper.
Based on those facts, the U.S. EPA estimates that paper and cardboard account for almost 40% of our garbage. Implementing a workplace plan to recycle and reduce unnecessary paper use can prevent a large portion of that waste. Here are some helpful tips to creating a greener office environment.
- Purchase products with the maximum post-consumer recycled content available
- Print double sided documents
- Use economy print settings on printers and copiers
- Go digital whenever possible. Send any company communications through email only, or post to bulletin board if paper is necessary
- Purchase refillable ink cartridges
- Order office supplies in bulk to reduce packaging
- Buy paper produced by a company with a stated commitment to environmental stewardship
- Purchase and specify post-consumer recycled content papers. This helps expand the recycling market and assure recycling programs stay viable and effective. It also closes the loop by diverting waste from landfills and incinerators.
- Keep your mailing list updated. Evaluate your data, delete duplicates, remove those who have requested to be off, and target your mailings to specific audiences.
- Reuse packing material whenever possible
- Unsubscribe from junk mail sent to the office
- Invest in rechargeable batteries
- Use personal mugs instead of paper cups
When trying to make your office a greener environment, also consider disposing of paper documents through a shredding service. At Mobile record shredders we recycle 100% of the paper we shred and are a great complimentary service to helping your business improve green practices.