Is it more eco friendly to make notes on paper or on the computer?

Question

i have a dillema

in my job i attend various meetings and am making notes fom phonecalls etc all the time.

Would it use more energy/be more eco-friendly to make notes on paper (not recycled) or to type it on the computer.

I know that it uses energy to create paper and destroys trees- but it also uses energy to keep my computer on.

So...which is better?

Answer 1

More paper=Tree cut

More Computer=More energy used

But,tree need a long period of time to grow back and if we keep 'eating' them,sure one day it will finish!Plus,how about your pen,sure it will ran out of ink and you need to cahnge them.

Mean while same as the computer,more enry=more power plant need to generate more electricity!

But,we now can generate electricity in a greener way!

and with good habits like shuting down if not in use could save some!

So computer is still good for this type of job.

Answer 2

That's a toughie.

What we used to do when I was at a small store to make our own "scratch pads" from misprinted flyers, whatever had a blank side; stack the papers blank side up and a staple.  That did fine for scribbles near the phone, quick customer notes, etcetera.  Though I don't know if it would work for your meetings if people are looking at you, it probably wouldn't be considered professional, it could work just fine for at your desk for phone jottings.

If you have a newer computer, and it's on anyway, then go for the computer notes.  One, if you need to print the notes out for some reason you'll likely use less paper because your notes will be more compact.  Two, if it's on anyway, you're already using the energy.

You could also try seeing if your business might be interested in using wind credits or solar credits for energy use - I don't know if this is available everywhere, but in Austin businesses had the option of paying a wind power rate or a standard power rate.  

At least you're thinking about it, that's a big one!

Answer 3

On the computer. The energy and materials used to make your computer are saved many times over by using that rather than paper. The power needed to run your computer is pretty minimal.

Answer 4

Paper is not just trees being cut it is also energy used to process it into paper, cut, package, and ship ten or so until it gets to the place you buy it from.  Then after one use it is no good and needs to be recycled (which costs energy and your shiney white paper can't be much more that a napkin after being pulverized)

the computer is better, especially if it is going to be on whether you use it or not.

another option is an erasable board