Almost every business that exists uses papers to print reports, charts, and more! One of the worst culprits of paper use is that of law firms. In today's day and age however, there are many different solutions to help law firms reduce their paper usage which can have some very positive benefits on the environment.

Interesting Facts

First, let's get into the environmental impact that paper production and waste have on the environment:

• It takes 5 liters of water on average to produce on piece of A4 paper.

• Every tree produces enough oxygen for 3 people to breathe.

• 93% of paper comes from trees.

• 50% of the waste that a business produces is composed of paper.

• Paper accounts for over 25% fo landfill waste and up to 33% of municipal waste.

As you can see, paper production and paper waste take a large toll on the environment and use up precious resources. Thankfully with recent advancement in technology, legal case management software can greatly reduce, or even eliminate the need for using paper in law firms all around the world. 

Why Paper Reduction Is Important

Climate change is real, with global warming destroying ice shelves, creating devastating storms, and destroying crops. To understand the impact that saving paper could have globally, let's look at the US for example. In the US, if paper use was cut by jut 10%, or 490,000 metric tons, greenhouse gas emissions would fall by almost 1.45 million metric tons. Those are some big numbers, but what does that mean? 1.45 million metric tons would be the same as taking 280,000 cars off the road per year. 

Deforestation is also happening at a faster rate than new trees are growing, which means that our main global oxygen source is being completely suffocated by being chopped down. With less oxygen, CO2 continues to be expelled at exponential rates, thus raising our global temperatures well above safe levels. 

Tips To Save Paper

In a law firm, using case management software can greatly reduce your paper usage by moving most of your documents and correspondence to an electronic format. However, if you still need to use paper in some instances, here are some things to do in order to help you reduce and maximize your paper usage:

• If you have a lot of information, reduce paper by printing double-sided to maximize paper space.

• Use electronic alternatives to paper, such as email or word processing documents. 

• Use recycled paper to ensure that no additional trees need to be cut down for you to print your

• Don't use paper cups or disposable paper plates.

• Fitting your law firm office with tablets or smart phones can greatly reduce the need to have things on paper to read.

The world has pretty much moved to a digital format, so most of the paper usage that happens today is a result of business and industry just being slow to adapt to technology. Using case management software, your law firm can reduce the time it takes to file paper documents, as well as providing extra security via digital encryption and cloud storage.

Almost every person who uses a lawyer has a smartphone. This simple fact means that literally everyone can tap a document with their finger to read it, and even electronically sign it to verify receipt. Technology is a wonderful thing and can help save the environment when it comes to unnecessary paper usage.

If you work at a law firm, the world needs your help by reducing your paper usage in your office. Take advantage of the tools technology affords you to do your part.