With the looming crisis of climate change and nations around the world committed to the goal of reaching net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, businesses are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprints. One of the main areas of focus is going paperless, but how can companies achieve this in practice, and how much of an impact will it have?
Reaching New Levels of Efficiency With Automation
Workflow automation is at the forefront of how offices around the world are reducing the use of paper and other resources. Automation across various industries will have a considerable impact on environmental sustainability in the future, and HR, accounting, and back office automation will be a major part of that.
Alongside the direct benefits of going paperless, workflow automation is an asset in other areas as well. The increased productivity provided through automation means tasks require less human processing and less time in the office for the same impact. This can provide considerable energy savings, which equals reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Workflow automation has advanced in leaps and bounds, and the solutions available today can have a considerable impact on both efficiency and accuracy. With the time and resources saved through automation, your business can focus on continuous improvement and growth instead.
Cutting Out Waste With Paperless Processes
Today, paper use accounts for 23% of municipal solid waste. Even with numerous recycling programs in place, paper waste is still a serious issue. With modern solutions, businesses can easily transition both internal and external processes to become paperless.
Accounts receivable and payable, human resources, and any number of internal documents are candidates for a seamless transition to reliable, affordable, and sustainable paperless solutions. With each metric ton of paper producing an average of 942 kilograms of CO2, going paperless is an easy way for any business to make a considerable impact.
Paperless solutions aren’t only an environmentally sustainable option — they’re more effective than conventional solutions are, too. Digital solutions can significantly streamline document management practices. Your business can benefit in terms of accuracy, security, collaboration, and a wide range of other areas by changing to a paperless solution today.
Going Green Also Means Cutting Costs
While many organizations might expect going green to incur considerable costs, the reality is that most environmentally sustainable measures also help reduce costs. Going paperless is a clear example, not only due to savings of not purchasing paper but by saving the time and resources that go into managing physical documents as well.
Committing to sustainability also positions your business for success. Many companies are now basing their choice of suppliers and partners based on sustainability, so going green can open up many opportunities for growth.
This is equally as true among consumers, with 40% of consumers already basing purchase habits on brand sustainability. This trend will only continue to rise, so making a commitment to sustainability today through automation and paperless solutions can give your business a better foundation to compete in tomorrow’s market.
