While going paperless may initially seem like the most eco-friendly option, the reality is more complex. Reducing paper use can help preserve forests and cut down on waste, but it’s important to also consider the environmental impact of digital technologies. The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry—which includes everything from smartphones to massive data centres—has a significant and often overlooked ecological footprint.
Energy Consumption: Data centres are essential to our digital lives, powering everything from cloud storage to emails and video streaming. These centres run continuously and require vast amounts of electricity. In fact, they consume around 2% of global electricity—about the same as the entire airline industry. This high energy use, especially when drawn from non-renewable sources, contributes considerably to carbon emissions and climate change.
E-Waste: The ICT sector also generates an alarming 53.6 million metric tons of electronic waste every year. Most of this e-waste ends up in landfills or is improperly disposed of, releasing toxic substances into the environment and causing long-term harm to ecosystems and human health.
At Polycopy, we support a balanced approach. While going paperless can reduce paper waste, it’s crucial to weigh the hidden costs of digital alternatives. Not all paper is harmful to the environment. Many sustainable options—such as recycled paper or paper sourced from responsibly managed forests—offer a greener choice in certain contexts.
Ultimately, sustainability isn’t about choosing between paper or digital. It’s about making informed decisions that consider the full environmental impact. Whether it’s reducing unnecessary printing or upgrading to energy-efficient tech, every small choice adds up to a bigger environmental difference.