The onset of the digital age seemed to spell doom for the paper industry. Everyone assumed computers would make print materials a relic of the past. But, as time went on, it became apparent that paper wasn’t going anywhere. In fact, access to computers and home printers seemed to make it easier and more likely for people to create paper documents. 

What’s more, the environmental hazards that once hung over the paper industry have been minimized by new and improved paper processing techniques. Simply put, we’re no longer obliterating the rainforest to meet consumer demands for paper products.

While all these developments have proved to be a benefit to big paper, the ongoing advancement of digital tech continues to present challenges to the industry. We don’t expect paper products to become obsolete anytime soon, but there’s no doubting the fact that the industry is affected by viable alternatives being introduced to businesses and consumers.

The following represent the major alternatives to paper products that affect the paper industry and its future:

Digital Signage

Whether it’s billboards, posters, or some other form of signage, the paper has proved to be the go-to medium for centuries. While this has continued into the digital age, that’s slowly changing due to the development of digital displays. The growing demand for digital signage for banks and other businesses signals a reduced demand for printed materials in the world of commerce. We’ve all seen the digital billboards along freeways. Sure, these displays are vulnerable to distortion due to damaged components, but the rate of failure is comparable to the vulnerability of paper material exposed to the elements. It’s only a matter of time before there are more digital displays than paper-based ones.

The Cloud

Filing documents has always taken up a lot of physical space in an office, and it has forced owners to purchase a lot of paper. Cloud technology removes those needs with just a few clicks on your computer. You no longer need those huge file cabinets, and you don’t have to spend so much money on paper if you simply store all of your documents on a cloud. This paperless business solution consists of digital storage spaces where you can search for what you need by simply searching online. Most clouds have a fee, but the fee is usually quite affordable.

Electronic Paper

Electronic paper or fillable paperwork is another alternative that businesses are turning to. Companies use digital pens or touchable screens to fill out paperwork instead of traditional paperwork. The great thing about this is customers or clients can input information that you can analyze afterward. Mistakes can be easily corrected without wasting paper; you don’t have to buy paper, and you don’t have to spend money on printing costs. Depending on your business, this means you can stop worrying about buying printers, fixing them, buying toner, or it could mean you don’t have to have a third party do any printing for you.

Reusable Items

The next thing that should be pointed out is that some business owners are providing employees with reusable items. This includes things like bamboo paper plates and utensils. These items are strong and can be washed and used again, as opposed to paper plates, bowls, and whatever else employees are using in the break room. Yes, the employer is going to have to figure out a way to ensure these items are cleaned before the next day, but all they need to do is install a dishwasher, or make sure each employee is responsible for their bamboo products.

Tree-Free Toilet Paper

Toilet paper is something every business owner spends money on. It’s just one of those things you need to buy, but it’s made out of paper. This product is no longer in vogue among people. If a business wants to stay competitive, it needs to take a stand against paper use, which is the reason tree-less toilet paper is rising in popularity. This product is threatening the paper industry who’s had a stronghold on toilet paper for years. Tree-less toilet paper is just as good and usually made out of bamboo, which is a renewable source and better for the environment.

The paper industry has to fight to stay relevant, but it does seem like consumers and business owners have already chosen which path they want and it’s a paperless one.