Reduce the Environmental Impact of Paper Use in Supply Chain Operations

In today’s digital age, where sustainability is at the forefront of global concerns, it's essential for SAP-run businesses to recognise the hidden environmental impact of paper waste and manual processes within their supply chain operations. Not only does this outdated approach affect the planet, but it also hampers business performance and imposes unnecessary burdens on both people and resources. In this blog, we will shed light on the environmental cost of paper-based practices, such as printing, scanning, and manual document management upload into SAP back-end systems, while providing actionable guidance for supply chain managers, warehouse managers, and logistics professionals in the retail, wholesale, and manufacturing industries.

The Environmental Toll of Paper Waste:

Paper waste in supply chain management is more than just stacks of discarded documents. It involves deforestation, water consumption, energy consumption, and carbon emissions associated with the entire paper production cycle. By embracing digital alternatives, businesses can significantly reduce their ecological footprint while improving operational efficiency.

According to estimates, producing one ton of paper can result in the release of approximately 1.5 to 2.5 metric tons of CO2

Inefficiencies of Manual Paper-based Processes:

Printing and Scanning: Traditional practices involving printing and scanning documents not only contribute to unnecessary paper waste but also consume energy, ink, and toner. Moreover, these manual processes introduce the risk of errors, lost documents, and delays, impacting the overall productivity of the supply chain.

Paper accounts for around 26% of total waste at landfills

Manual Document Management: Handling physical documents requires significant storage space, increases the likelihood of misplacing or damaging important information, and adds to the time and effort required for retrieval and processing. Transitioning to digital document management systems can streamline operations, improve accessibility, and minimise human errors.

Read about the 5 Environmental Benefits of an SAP Cloud Landscape

The Triple Bottom Line Impact:

• Environmental Benefits: Embracing digital alternatives reduces paper consumption, curbs carbon emissions, and preserves natural resources. By adopting sustainable practices, businesses can showcase their commitment to environmental stewardship and meet the expectations of eco-conscious consumers.
  
  
• Operational Efficiency: Digitising processes and implementing robust document management systems enable real-time tracking, seamless collaboration, and quick access to vital information. This streamlined approach enhances supply chain visibility, reduces lead times, and improves overall operational efficiency.
  
  
• Cost Savings: By eliminating paper-based practices, businesses can significantly reduce expenses associated with printing, storage, and document retrieval. Additionally, streamlined processes help minimise errors and delays, leading to cost savings and increased profitability.
  
  

Paper production is the third most energy-intensive of all manufacturing industries

Guidance for Embracing Digital Transformation:

• Assess Current Practices: Conduct a thorough audit of existing paper-based processes and identify areas for improvement. Analyse the volume of paper waste, printing and scanning requirements, and the associated costs and environmental impact.
  
  
• Invest in automated document capture Management Systems: Implementing robust document management software enables businesses to digitise documents, automate workflows, and facilitate collaboration. Look for solutions that integrate with existing systems such as SAP to streamline data entry processes.
  
  
• Train and Educate Employees: Successful digital transformation requires a change in mindset and culture. Provide comprehensive training to employees on the benefits of digital processes, ensuring they understand the importance of sustainability and efficient document management.
  
  
• Establish Performance Metrics: Set measurable goals to track progress and demonstrate the impact of digital initiatives. Monitor metrics such as paper consumption, scanning and printing volumes, process efficiency, and cost savings.
  

Read how we helped Boughey Logistics to save around 4,000,000 sheets of paper annually; that’s around 400 trees and 40 million litres of water!

Don't Let Manual Document Processing Slow Down Your Warehouse Operations!

The environmental cost of paper waste and manual processes within supply chain management cannot be overlooked. By embracing digital alternatives and implementing efficient document management systems, businesses can minimise their ecological footprint, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce costs. Recognising the hidden impact and taking proactive steps towards digital transformation will not only benefit the planet but also improve business performance, making sustainability a win-win for all stakeholders involved.

The average office worker handles an average of 10,000 sheets of office paper per year

The introduction of digital tools such as Rocket:Lens can help businesses overcome these challenges by providing a simple and intuitive solution for the automated capture and processing of paper-based documents.

See for yourself how Rocket:Lens can transform your processes and streamline your workflow with our short video demo.