With Earth Day approaching, organizations everywhere are looking for meaningful ways to reduce their environmental footprint. One of the most impactful changes that businesses and public sector entities can make is surprisingly straightforward: digitizing HR and benefits administration processes.
The Hidden Environmental Cost of Paper-Based Systems
The statistics about paper waste in office environments are staggering:
- The average office worker uses approximately 10,000 sheets of paper annually, with roughly half ending up as waste, according to Road Runner.
- Paper constitutes about 23% of municipal solid waste in the United States, totaling 67.4 million tons in 2018, as reported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
- In 2019, the U.S. sent approximately 56% of its paper and cardboard waste to landfills, representing a $4 billion loss in economic value, according to the United States Department of Energy.
The Far-Reaching Environmental Impact
Beyond waste, the paper industry itself places an enormous burden on our natural resources. StopWaste reports that the pulp and paper industry is:
- The largest industrial consumer of water
- The biggest water polluter
- The third-largest emitter of global warming pollution in most industrialized nations
The Business Case for Digital Transformation
Going paperless isn’t just good for the environment—it makes financial sense too:
- Storing and managing paper documents can be up to 206 times more expensive than digital alternatives, according to research from MCC Innovations.
- Organizations that digitize their HR and benefits processes report significant savings in storage costs, printing expenses, and administrative time.
Making the Switch: Benefits Administration in the Digital Age
Digital benefits administration offers numerous advantages:
- Reduced environmental impact through elimination of paper forms, benefits booklets, and mailed communications
- Enhanced efficiency with automated workflows and instant access to information
- Improved accuracy by eliminating manual data entry and paper-based errors
- Better employee experience with self-service portals and mobile access to benefits information
Join the Movement
Public sector organizations, including school districts, are increasingly leading the way in sustainability initiatives. By digitizing benefits administration, these institutions are demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship while also improving operational efficiency.
As we celebrate Earth Day 2025, consider how your organization can contribute to a greener future. Digitizing your benefits administration isn’t just smart—it’s sustainable.
Ready to make a greener impact? Let’s talk about how going paperless with your benefits administration can help your organization save money while supporting a cleaner future.
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