Myth: A “paperless” office has no environmental footprint.
Fact: The environmental footprint of information and communication technologies continues to grow rapidly.
Going paperless comes with an environmental cost. Computers, data centers, mobile phones and telecommunication networks are projected to be the largest emitters of greenhouse gases by 2020 (McKinsey & Company). It is unreasonable to compare digital and print media without taking the entire lifecycle of each into account. Each format has a rightful place in the scope of sustainable communications.
Credits: MakingPaperFun.com and Printing Impressions (Dec. 2009).
