How much paper does your office use? How much of that paper eventually ends up in the trash can?

According to recent studies, the average employee uses around 10,000 pieces of copy paper per year. And 45% of that paper ends up in a trash can by the end of the same day.

Instead of contributing to these statistics, it's time your business becomes more eco-friendly. Keep reading to discover a few simple steps you can take to go paperless in your business. 

Scan Your Current Documents

The hardest part of becoming a paperless office is getting started. If your business has filing cabinets filled with paper documents, it may seem like an impossible task. But, the first step is to scan in all those documents so that they exist in a digital format.  

Start small and scan one file folder or one drawer per day. You could even pass the job on to an assistant, intern, new employee, or an unsuspecting relative. Or, make a day of it by buying lunch for your employees and asking everyone to help scan documents for the remainder of the afternoon. 

If you are a small business and don't want to invest in a scanner, there are plenty of phone apps that will do the job for you. 

Invest in a Cloud Platform

But what are you supposed to do with those documents once they are digital files? Every paperless workplace needs to invest in a cloud platform for storing and organizing digital documents. 

A cloud system allows you to upload, organize, and access your files from anywhere. Now, instead of having to be physically near your filing cabinet to access your files, you can do access them from anywhere. This is a great solution if you have employees spread out across multiple offices or working remotely. 

Use a Paperless Office Software

If you think that your specific business niche can only be done with physical paper, think again. In today's digital world, there are tools out there to help every business with its paperless office strategy. 

Start looking around for paperless office software. This software will look different depending on your business' needs.

For example, a business that deals with a lot of paperwork may opt for a software program with a wide variety of digital forms. While a business that provides services would look for a paperless pay system.  

The Time to Go Paperless Is Now

After reading this article, it's easy to see that going paperless isn't as daunting as it sounds. You can still operate a successful business while also being eco-friendly. 

Start by converting all your current files and documents into a digital format. From there, you'll want to use a cloud platform to share these digital documents between coworkers. Then, look for a paperless software that fits your business' exact needs. 

Looking for more ways to improve your business? Be sure to browse the rest of this site for the best business news and advice.