The digital age has led to the widespread use of computers and laptops, with many businesses now using desktop programs to manage their records. The rise of virtual collaboration and cloud storage means that documents no longer need to be kept in physical files; instead, they can be uploaded and accessed online.
However, despite the move towards digital systems, several businesses across various industries still require paper. Indeed, in some professional fields such as law, medicine, or education, there is so much information recorded on paper that it isn’t feasible to switch to an electronic system. Thus we are seeing a resurgence of A3 filing cabinets and other file storage solutions.
When the term eco-friendly is mentioned, many people think of the environment and not much beyond that. However, eco-friendly products are so much more than just being environmentally friendly.
This has to do with how a product is made and what raw materials it uses to be produced. When choosing eco-friendly A3 paper instead of other conventional ones, there are some essential considerations you need to make to determine which one will be best for your personal or business needs.
What is eco-friendly A3 paper?
Eco-friendly A3 paper or A3 coloured paper is made from sustainable materials or recycled paper. It is not only better for the environment but also better for your printing needs. Eco-friendly A3 paper can save you time, money, and effort and help protect the environment.
Eco-friendly A3 paper can be made from a variety of materials. It can be made from sustainable materials like bamboo, tree-free cotton, plant cellulose, or algae. Also, it can be made from recycled paper.
Compared to regular A3 paper, eco-friendly A3 paper has many benefits, including: –
- A smaller carbon footprint – since sustainable paper or recycled paper produces less CO2 during production.
- Better for the environment – since environmentally friendly paper can be recycled up to eight times before it should be discarded.
- Better for your printer – since the sustainable paper is stronger and can withstand up to 80% more printing than regular paper.
- Better for your wallet – since the eco-friendly paper is often cheaper than regular paper.
Choosing the right eco-friendly A3 paper
Here are some things to look out for when choosing eco-friendly A3 paper:
- Look at the Colour of the Paper
When choosing eco-friendly A3 paper, consider the colour of the paper. The colour of the paper can affect how you use it. For example, you don’t want to use black paper if you will be printing in colour. You also don’t want to use a light or bright colour for business purposes.
A3 coloured paper can also affect the amount of ink or toner used for printing. For example, if you use light-coloured paper, the amount of ink used for printing will increase. This is because the paper will soak up more of the ink.
On the other hand, the darker paper will require less ink, and lighter paper can be printed on both sides. You can also use coloured paper for printing documents or presentations. This can help you distinguish different paper types, such as business versus personal use. It can also help you stay more organized and keep things more orderly.
- Check its Sources and Materials Used
Paper can be made from a variety of different materials. The most common ones are wood pulp, synthetic, and cotton. In some cases, recycled materials are used for making the paper which can be either plant or animal-based. For example, recycled paper made from old newspapers or magazines is considered eco-friendly, even though it doesn’t fall into the other two categories.
When choosing eco-friendly A3 paper, you need to make sure it is made from materials that don’t harm the environment. Some materials, like petroleum-based papers, can be harmful to the environment, so you want to avoid those as much as possible.
- Determine its Carbon Footprint
A carbon footprint is a measurement used to determine how much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses are emitted during a specific product’s production. Carbon footprint is something that is often overlooked when it comes to determining the environmental friendliness of a product.
However, it is one of the most important things to consider when choosing eco-friendly A3 paper. When choosing eco-friendly paper, you want to ensure that it has a low carbon footprint. This means that the raw materials used in its production shouldn’t emit a lot of carbon dioxide during the manufacturing process.
A high-quality eco-friendly paper will emit very little carbon dioxide. You can find this information in the product description or on the manufacturer’s website.
- Look for Certified Eco-friendly Paper
Another thing you can look for when choosing an eco-friendly A3 paper is to look for a paper that is certified eco-friendly. Some types of paper are certified as eco-friendly paper. This means that the paper is made from materials that don’t harm the environment.
Certifications are necessary because they are a way for eco-friendly companies to be held accountable for the quality of their products – which is essential if you want to ensure that you will get what you pay for.
These certifications are very rigorous, and only a small percentage of paper manufacturers are certified. They guarantee the eco-friendliness of the paper and can make it easier for you to choose the right eco-friendly A3 paper for your needs.
Certified eco-friendly A3 papers must meet specific standards to be designated as such. For example, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is one of the most reputable certification organizations for paper and other forest products.
Certified eco-friendly A3 papers are made with renewable materials, so you can be sure that the paper you are using is not harming the environment.
- Consider the Weight and Thickness of the Paper
Another essential thing to consider when choosing eco-friendly A3 paper is the thickness and weight of the paper. When choosing eco-friendly A3 paper, you also need to consider the weight and thickness of the paper.
This is important because it will affect how you use the paper. For example, if the paper is too thin and light, you can’t use pens on it. On the other hand, if the paper is very thick, it can be difficult to handle.
The weight is measured in GSM and is the paper’s thickness when wet. Eco-friendly papers will have a lower weight than conventional papers – mostly because they are made from recycled materials that are not as thick as traditional papers.
Eco-friendly papers will have a thickness between 40-60 GSM, while conventional papers will be 60-90 GSM. However, some eco-friendly papers are thicker than conventional ones, such as sugarcane.
You want to ensure that the paper’s weight and thickness are appropriate for your needs. You can check the paper’s description or ask a sales representative.
- Think About How You Will Use the Paper
The best way to find the right eco-friendly A3 paper for your needs is to consider how you will use it. For example, if you will be mainly printing text, you can use either white or coloured paper.
However, if you will be printing photographs or graphics, you will probably want to choose coloured paper. If you are printing documents that need to be archived, you will probably want to use white paper. On the other hand, if you will be printing documents that need to be printed on both sides, you will want to use coloured paper.
- Environmentally friendly practices to use when buying A3 paper
- Reuse old A3 paper – If you have a stockpile of A3 paper, you could reuse it if it’s in good condition and has no stains or tears. This will not only save you money, but it will also be more environmentally friendly as you’re not contributing to deforestation by buying new paper.
- Buy certified sustainable A3 paper – If you prefer new paper, make sure you purchase eco-friendly A3 paper. The easiest way to do this would be to look for a paper with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) logo. This certification is the most widely used criterion for sustainable forestry.
- Use pencils or ballpoints instead of pens – Using ballpoints, pencils, and felt-tip pens are less damaging to the environment than using ink pens. This is because when you use ink pens, you’re polluting the environment with toxic chemicals such as carbon dioxide, methane, and other chemicals used to produce ink.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to go eco-friendly with your printing, it’s essential to consider the environmental impact of using different types of A3 paper. After all, if you plan on using a lot of this document stock, you must choose something that won’t harm the environment.
According to experts, the world will reach peak paper usage in two years. So, as businesses and offices continue to print more documents daily, finding ways to reduce the impact of this user can only be a good thing. Luckily for us, there are plenty of options for eco-friendly A3 paper out there!
Explore: BizOrTech
