In the United States, thousands of businesses have printers that print documents for employees and consumers. Although paper is a popular natural resource, paperless options are better for a business because the solutions reduce waste and help protect the environment. If you’re just forming your company or wanting to transform your existing company by making it greener, these three tips can lead you in the right direction.
Offer Consumers Digital Ways to Sign Documents
When people sign documents without using a pen and paper, nothing is stored away. In a business environment, paperless signatures provide several big benefits. After documents are signed digitally, you can give everyone peace of mind by making multiple copies in an instant. Digital documents are also easy to share during time-sensitive situations since the files can be transferred to other digital devices instantly. Digitally signed documents can also be sorted and quickly located so you can find important materials whenever you need them.
The technology that lets users sign documents on a screen is compatible with smartphones and tablets. After the software is installed, generating a digital signature is simple. Touch-sensitive technology produces lines on an enabled device, and a user can produce a digital signature by touching the display with a finger or with a stylus.
Remove Paper Files from Your Office
Once you have converted your paper files to digital files, you can store the paper files away from the office to free up more office space. However, this task may not be simple if there are laws for paper documents in your city. According to some laws, a business must hold on to most files for several years before destroying them. If you must obey this type of law, simply put your documents in a waterproof bin and store everything away in a secure location.
Implement Strategic Procedures to Eliminate Paper Waste
When physical documents aren’t disposed of properly, the information on the paperwork will be at risk. This is why services that destroy documents, like paper-shredding companies, are available for businesses. If you’re going to shred business documents, use a shredder that slices paper thoroughly, preferably into a confetti cut. Then, toss the shredded paper in different garbage bags to mix up the paper remnants. This lowers the chances of people being able to piece together a document from its remains. For an extra layer of protection, roll a stamping tool over important areas on your documents before shredding. To protect the shredder, never shred paper until after the ink dries.
These tips can help you transition your business into a paperless company. If you want to use paper occasionally after your company goes paperless, consider using a recycling program.
If you’re thinking of starting a business and feel you could use some guidance, see how Arc Answers can help!
