Are You “Green” or “Sustainable?”

Going green has taken on a whole new life in businesses. It many companies, it has evolved into something called “Sustainability.” Your office may have “Sustainability Initiatives” instead of “Green Initiatives.”

What’s the difference? It’s really pretty simple. Being green is means environmentally friendly. The focus is solely on taking care of the earth, reducing your carbon footprint, using less of our natural resources.

Sustainability is a more far-reaching, long-term concept. When a company embraces sustainability, it includes green initiatives. However, sustainability goes further.

Sustainability encourages employees to think in terms of how to successfully do business today in ways that will not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Those charged with sustainability initiatives are looking for ways to “increase long-term shareholder and social value, while decreasing industry’s use of materials and reducing negative impacts on the environment.”  (US EPA)

What does this mean to you? Being green is easy. You probably already recycle. But in an office environment, you can be sustainable relativel easy. And cut costs.

Think Electronic Document Management (EDM). This is where you create a secure digital database of electronic data. Scanning in documents, creating electronic documents and sending them electronically, sending faxes electronically, indexing and storing files in an electronic searchable index – all are part of an EDM system.

Are you utilizing multifunction printers (MFPs)? Many new MFPs are Energy Star certified, such as Canon, Samsung and Lexmark.

These new MFPs are made with more recycled plastics, have reduced the use of hazardous substances, and come with paper-saving,  toner-saving, energy saving features which cut costs and conserve resources.

Using MFPs as part of your EDM system will allow you to reduce you device fleet, furthering your sustainability initiatives. Fewer devices = less impact on the future and cost savings to your company.

It’s a win for the environment and a win for your company.

If you’re interested in sustainability for your company, click here or call us at 800.325.9299.