PaperlessKitchen Blog

TWO COMPANIES’ INSPIRING PAPERLESS STORIES

This week the Globe and Mail published a story about Idea Rebel, a digital agency based in Vancouver. From the launch of the company in 2008, owner Jamie Garratt has been committed to having a truly paperless office. To go paperless, he has instituted a number of eco-friendly policies and invested in equipment to take paper-based functions digital.

Here are some of the ways that Garratt has eliminated paper at his company: 

- There are no printers anywhere in the office 

- Pay-stubs are sent via email to workers; no paper stubs are provided 

- Tablets and whiteboards are used for note-taking; employees may bring in one paper notebook, but it cannot be stored at the office 

- All employees have two computer displays and one iPad at their workstations, allowing them to look at multiple documents at once without the need to print.

- Signatures for contracts are collected on a computer software program called SignEasy and Mac Preview is used for adding them to the documents

- Files are stored using the cloud service Dropbox 

The article also discusses a large company called Accenture, which has thousands of employees around the world. The company has recently instituted new policies to slash the amount of paper used on a daily basis.

At Accenture, there are only a limited amount of printers, and employees are discouraged from printing. Paper consumption is closely monitored. The company tracks which employees use the printers and what they are printing. Employees who are using too much paper are coached and encouraged to consume less. Documents are shared for collaboration via Microsoft Link to reduce the need for printing and sending papers via couriers.

The stories of Accenture and Idea Rebel are proof that any company can go paperless or at least dramatically reduce how much paper they use. From studying their methods of paper reduction, we can all see some best practices that can help us do the same in workplaces.

PAPER AND THE FUTURE OF BIOFUELS

Imagine if we could use waste paper in our cars instead of petroleum-based gasoline. Wouldn't that be the ultimate form of recycling? While the use of corn and soybeans in fuels is becoming increasingly popular, a paper-based gasoline is still largely just a green dream; however, the results of a recent study suggest that it may one day be a dream fully realized.

A study conducted by the University of York, University of Portsmouth and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has isolated an enzyme that can be used to convert paper to fuel. The enzyme comes from a small creature known as the gribbler. Found in coastal areas, the gribbler bores through wood at piers, docks and even on the hulls of ships. To help with its efforts, it secretes an enzyme that softens the wood.

For fuel-making, the enzyme could be useful for completing a step in the process that so far has been too expensive to make paper-based fuel a feasible option. When the enzyme from the gribbler comes in contact with paper, it helps to convert it to sugars, which then can be processed into fuels. The enzyme extracted from the gribbler can not only assist with this process with paper, but could also theoretically be used to convert scrap wood and straw into fuel. 

The enzyme still needs to be studied more extensively before it could be used to assist with fuel-making on a large scale, but the study does mean that we could be one step closer to paper-base fuels.

WORM COMPOSTING REDUCES PAPER WASTE AND MORE

 Worms. You see them slithering across the blacktop after a rainstorm. You hear rumor that the birds get up early to win themselves one, and fishermen swear the fish bite more when there's one on the end of a hook. Now, worms are being used to reduce waste in some parts of the world.

Recently, the Green Living Centre in Sydney, Australia, launched a pilot program using worms to reduce the waste produced by a local restaurant. The center collected food waste from the restaurant and placed it in a 1.5-litre bin filled with earthworms. Over a 6-month period, the worms broke down the equivalent of 6,500 hamburgers worth of waste and made 323 litres of organic fertilizer and 40 kilograms of compost. Plans to expand the size of the project and process more waste are now underway.

Worm composting isn't just valuable for reducing food waste; a worm farm can also process paper waste, including paper towels, napkins and ordinary writing paper. This form of composting is ideal for homes, too, because it produces fewer odors than traditional composting and can even be done inside. If you're interested in worm farming, you can purchase live worms online along with specialized composting bins for accommodating them.

Have you already discovered the benefits of worm composting? Tell us about your experiences in the "Comments" section.

Deforestation Threatens Green Energy

A recent report published by the National Academy of Sciences shows that that impact of deforestation is far-reaching and so profound that it has the ability to impact other efforts to "go green."

According to the report, the deforestation of portions of the Amazon rain forest will make it more difficult for a local hydroelectric power plant to operate. Called the Belo Monte hydropower complex, this hydroelectric plant in Brazil is slated to become the third largest in the world when construction is completed.

As a part of the construction process, developers have decimated local areas of the Amazon rain forest, believing that removing trees from the immediate vicinity of dams would allow water to flow more freely to the rivers after periods of rainfall.

While this theory seems to be logical, the National Academy of Sciences found that deforesting the area around the plant could lead to an unexpected side effect--decreased rainfall. Just from the recent deforestation, rainfall is down 6 to 7 percent in the area. Less rainfall means less water available to power the hydroelectric plant and could undermine the success of the entire project. 

This report is a powerful reminder that the trees we protect when we go paperless are integral to the health and future of the planet. What did you do to use less paper today? Tell us in the "Comments" section.

PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION BILL LOSES IN CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY

On May 24, the California State Assembly tabled bill designed to protect oceans and marine wildlife from plastic waste.

Called AB 521, the legislation was introduced by State Assemblyman Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) and had successfully passed the Assembly Natural Resource Committee. If it had passed, the law would have required plastic manufacturers to develop plans to decrease the amount of plastic waste that finds its way to oceans by 95 percent. Those that did not comply with the law would be fined with a maximum penalty of up to $10,000 per day.

Those who opposed the bill felt that it unfairly focused on just one industry when many other forms of waste also contribute to pollution. Supporters argued that plastic waste was a good starting point for reform, as discarded plastics can remain in marine ecosystems for decades. 

Stone has vowed to rework some parts of the bill and to reintroduce it in the future. In the meantime, you can help decrease plastic waste yourself no matter where you live. When you head to the beach for a picnic, be sure to take along biodegradable flatware and plates instead of plastic and paper. By using Eco Products or Bambu products, you can ensure that plastic doesn't find its way into the ocean, even inadvertently. Also, consider bringing along your cold drinks in a stainless steel sports bottle like the ones from ThinkSport.

What else can we do to protect the oceans from plastic waste? Share your ideas in the "Comments" section.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX: FINDING SOLUTIONS FOR MULTIPLE ECO PROBLEMS

Often times, we think about the problems plaguing our planet and wildlife as separate issues. When we think about going green, we tend to consider saving water, protecting endangered species, reducing the use of toxic chemicals and eliminating paper waste individually. Recently, I ran across a story that serves as an example of how with creativity, efforts to protect the Earth and the creatures that inhabit it can intersect.

The story involves the endangered African rhino, which is killed by poachers who collect its horn and sell it on the black market in Asian countries where its powder is believed to have healing powers. African governments and international animal welfare groups have launched programs to try and discourage poachers and apprehend the criminals in the act. 

At the Sabi Sand Game Reserve in South Africa, poaching has become a serious problem, and the conservationists who work there have been trying to develop a mobile application that could be used to track where poachers were striking to enhance patrols. Believing they might be able to develop their own app inexpensively, they began to search Google for information about programming.

Instead of finding a tutorial on how to build an app, they found one that was perfect for their needs--Canvas. This mobile app for Android devices is designed to help companies move to paperless contracts and record keeping. It uses a sophisticated GPS system to track the location of employees and gives users the ability to capture electronic signatures, images and more and transmit them to the Cloud.

The conservationists at Sadi Sand Game Reserve are now using the app for record tracking and have so far had some success with combating poachers. They also introduced the app to nearby Kruger National Park, so that the two facilities could coordinate their efforts. 

This story was very eye opening to me and made me think more about how solutions for one environmental problem may be useful tools for affecting change in other areas. If you'd like to learn more about the plight of endangered rhinos, you can check out this great article from the World Wildlife Federation.

U.S. CUSTOMS GOING PAPERLESS IN CHICAGO

This month, it was announced that the function of another U.S. government agency will be making changes to reduce paper waste. We've already seen a major shift to paperless systems at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration this year. Now, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is taking steps to reduce paper waste and improve efficiency, at least in one major city.

If you've ever traveled overseas, you already know about the hassle of filling out paper customs forms, but have you ever stopped to think about how much paper these forms waste? Electronic kiosks could be the solution.

At Chicago-O’Hare, these kiosks have been installed for use in place of paper. The touchscreen kiosks ask the same questions found on the paper forms. When the questionnaire is completed, the terminal prints a small paper receipt, which is then presented to U.S. Customs agents. While there is still some paper involved in the process, the amount is minimal compared to the current system.

The $2 million price tag for the kiosks were paid for by the Chicago Department of Aviation and a similar system was installed for Canadian customs in Vancouver International Airport. The 32 new kiosks in O'Hare are expected to go live on July 1. If the program proves successful, it's likely that other airports will follow in O'Hare's lead, as the kiosks promise not only to save paper, but also to cut down on wait times.

HIDDEN TOXINS IN COSMETICS

If you were asked to make a list of all of the places in your home where toxins may be lurking, you might include the cabinets under the sink where you keep your cleaning products, the shelves in your garage where there are paints and solvents and maybe even the produce drawer where toxic residues may be lingering on your fruits and vegetables. But would you think of your cosmetics kit? A new Canadian study indicates that you should.

Earlier this month, an environmental group in Canada released findings of tests that the organization performed on 49 different brands of cosmetics. Products tested included both drugstore brands and higher end luxury makeup collections. Shockingly, 96 percent of the products contained lead, and slightly more than half were laden with arsenic. Roughly one-third also contained cadmium.

Although all of these heavy metals are known to be toxic, the FDA does not require them to be listed on cosmetics labels if they are only found in trace amounts. Beauty industry advocates state that these tiny doses of heavy metals pose no long-term risks on a woman's health, but for those who are aiming to lead greener lives, knowing that beauty products contain toxins can be very unsettling.

So what can you do to protect yourself from toxins in makeup? The best advice is to switch to 100 percent natural brands. This can be more difficult than it sounds because many brands will tout their natural ingredients, but really only have one or two non-synthetic extracts and chemicals in their formulas. Look for brands that are certified as organic by a reputable organization, as these are the most likely to be safe.

Do you have a favorite natural or organic makeup brand that you use? Share it in the "Comments" section. 

FDA RETHINKING TRICLOSAN

Earlier in May, the FDA announced that it will begin a reexamination of Triclosan, a very common antibacterial ingredient. Found in everything from hand sanitizers to counter top cleaning sprays to plastic surfaces on changing tables, Triclosan has long been criticized by environmental groups and some scientists.

In addition to claims that Triclosan is not truly effective at eliminating bacteria, many have raised questions about the safety of the ingredient. Most recently, animal studies have revealed that Triclosan exposure can lead to hormonal imbalances, reproductive difficulties and the early onset of sexual maturity.

The approval of Triclosan for use in the United States can be traced back to 1978. Initially, the ingredient was not found to be “generally accepted as safe,” but under pressure from industries and with no real scientific evidence that Triclosan posed health risks, the FDA eventually updated its status. In 1997, the administration even okay-ed the use of the antibacterial chemical in toothpastes.

According to the FDA, the review of Triclosan was not prompted due to safety concerns, but because of evidence that now suggests that the ingredient is ineffective. The administration has not stated that any products that contain Triclosan, including the 75 percent of all antibacterial soaps that contain the ingredient, are unsafe to use.

Still, the announcement has led many to begin looking for Triclosan-free products. If you're concerned about the use of Tricolan, we recommend our e-Cloth Antibacterial cleaning cloths, which remove up to 99 percent of household germs when used with just plain water. 

Are you concerned about Triclosan? What have you done to eliminate its use in your home? Let us know in the Comments section.

How Legal Are Electronic Signatures?

Earlier in the month, we shared the findings of a survey conducted by Adobe that showed that paperless contracts continue to remain out of reach for most companies. One reason why many companies are wary of electronic contracts is because of signatures. Companies worry that if a contract becomes disputed in court, an electronic signature may not stand up to scrutiny.

The truth of the matter is that laws in most states view electronic signatures no differently than ones signed on paper with ink, provided that the signature was made by the individual in question and that the individual knew what he or she was signing. The legality of electronic signatures in the United States was first established with the ESIGN Act, which Congress passed in 2000. Since then, most states have adopted laws that confirm the legality of electronically produced signatures.

It's important to note that even in federal courts, electronic signatures are used. Federal judges now sign off on court orders with an electronic stamper, and the legality of electronic signatures has been upheld in federal and state courts many times since the ESIGN and state legislations were enacted.

If you're concerned about the size of your company's eco footprint, worries over electronic signatures don't have to stand in your way of converting to paperless contracts. To find out more about laws in your own state, contact an attorney or your state's Attorney General's office.