Document Management Blog | MES

Go Paperless! 8 Shocking Facts About Paper Waste in Businesses

Written by MESHDS | May 2, 2024 12:00:00 PM

Today, businesses are looking for ways to work smarter and greener. Despite this, many still use tons of paper, which costs a lot of money and hurts the environment. There's a better way to do things: go paperless with the help of document scanning and document management systems (DMS). Going digital reduces clutter and waste, makes businesses run smoother, and saves them money. In this article, we'll dive into eight shocking facts about how much paper businesses waste and how switching to digital can make a big difference.

8 Shocking Facts About Paper Waste in Businesses and Solutions

Fact 1: Businesses waste an enormous amount of paper every year

Statistics reveal that an average office worker in the U.S. uses around 10,000 sheets of paper annually, contributing significantly to paper waste. The solution lies in document scanning and DMS, which convert these paper documents into digital formats, substantially reducing physical waste and conserving resources.

Fact 2: Paper waste is costly for businesses

The financial toll of paper use—and waste—on businesses encompasses not just the purchase price but also associated costs for storage, printing, and disposal. Transitioning to a DMS allows companies to avoid these expenses, as digital documents negate the need for physical storage space or printing supplies.

Fact 3: Paper clutter leads to inefficiency

Research indicates that the average office worker spends at least two hours a day searching for needed documents, which impacts productivity. Digital documents, organized and easily accessible through a DMS, can streamline workflows and eliminate physical clutter.

Fact 4: Paper production and disposal have profound environmental impacts

Producing and disposing of paper significantly contributes to carbon emissions and deforestation. Adopting digital solutions allows businesses to dramatically reduce their carbon footprint and the environmental impact of traditional paper practices.

Fact 5: Excessive paper usage lowers workplace productivity

Handling and processing excessive paper can decrease workplace productivity by up to 21%. Digital files, easily organized, searched for, and shared through a DMS, enhance efficiency and business operations.

Fact 6: A large portion of landfill waste comes from paper

Approximately 85 million tons of paper waste is created each year. By moving to digital archiving, companies eliminate the need for paper disposal and promote environmental sustainability by reducing waste production.

Fact 7: A significant amount of paper in businesses is not recycled

Less than 70% of the paper used in businesses undergoes recycling. Implementing a paperless system with DMS ensures sustainable document management without relying on physical recycling methods.

Fact 8: Paper documents pose security risks

Mishandling paper documents can lead to security and compliance risks. DMS offers secure storage, access controls, and audit trails, enhancing document protection and meeting compliance requirements.

These statistics and findings stress the critical need for businesses to reconsider their reliance on paper. They highlight the efficiency, cost benefits, and environmental advantages of shifting to digital document management.

Benefits of Going Paperless

Transitioning to a paperless office offers many benefits for businesses, impacting everything from operational efficiency to environmental sustainability. Here are the key advantages:

Increased Efficiency and Productivity

By adopting digital document management systems, businesses can streamline their operations. Employees spend less time searching for documents and more time on productive tasks, significantly boosting overall efficiency.

Cost Savings

Going paperless reduces the need for physical storage, printing, and paper purchasing costs. The savings extend beyond tangible resources, including reduced document retrieval and management expenses.

Environmental Benefits

A paperless office greatly diminishes the need for paper, directly contributing to fewer trees being cut down for paper production. It also reduces the carbon footprint of paper manufacturing and waste, supporting broader environmental sustainability efforts.

Enhanced Security and Compliance

Digital documents are more secure and easier to manage in compliance with privacy laws and regulations. Document management systems offer advanced security features such as access controls, encryption, and audit trails, ensuring that sensitive information is protected against unauthorized access.

How Your Business Can Reduce Paper Waste

Businesses can take several steps to reduce paper usage effectively:

  • Adopt document scanning: Converting existing paper documents into digital formats eliminates physical clutter and facilitates easier document management.
  • Implement a DMS: A document management system organizes, stores, and secures digital documents, making them easily accessible and reducing the need for paper-based files.
  • Make a digital-first culture: Encouraging digital communication and document sharing within the organization can significantly reduce the reliance on paper.

How Can Scan to Zero Help Organizations Go Paperless?

The "Scan to Zero" approach is an innovative method for businesses looking to transition towards a paperless environment efficiently and sustainably. It's designed to tackle the challenge of existing paper documents that clutter offices and complicate document management processes. Here’s how it can transform your organization:

Phased Approach to Digitization

"Scan to Zero" takes a phased approach to systematically digitizing existing paper documents. This method doesn't overwhelm the business processes but integrates smoothly, ensuring ongoing operations are not disrupted. Businesses can prioritize documents based on their immediate relevance or compliance requirements, scanning and converting them into digital formats in a structured manner.

Reducing Paper Dependency

As more documents are digitized, the organization's dependency on paper gradually decreases. This shift reduces the physical space required for storing documents and lowers the costs associated with printing, photocopying, and paper supplies. Over time, the organization's workflow becomes increasingly digital, paving the way for a fully paperless office.

Enhancing Document Accessibility and Security

Digitized documents are easier to store, search, and retrieve, significantly enhancing operational efficiency. Moreover, document management systems (DMS) offer robust security features, such as access controls and encryption, to protect sensitive information. This digitization process also supports compliance with data protection regulations by providing detailed audit trails for document access and modifications.

Environmental Impact

The move towards digitization inherently supports environmental sustainability goals. Businesses reduce deforestation and the carbon footprint of paper production and waste by reducing paper use. This benefits the organization's sustainability credentials and aligns with the growing consumer expectation for businesses to operate responsibly.

Going Paperless

The shift towards a paperless office marks a critical step for businesses aiming to boost efficiency, cut costs, and support environmental sustainability. With shocking statistics about paper waste driving the urgency for change, digital solutions like document scanning and document management systems (DMS) offer a clear path forward. These technologies streamline operations and enhance data security and compliance, showcasing the multifaceted benefits of going digital.


Is your business ready to reduce paper waste and embrace a more sustainable, efficient future? Contact MES Hybrid Document Systems today for more information on how our document scanning and management solutions can transform your operations.