It used to be that environmental and climate protection were the responsibility of "the big players" – politics, industry, NGOs. In daily office life, people printed whatever paper was available, smoked at their desks, and no one asked about energy efficiency or recycling content.

Today we know:

• Major changes are happening politically and economically.
• But every organization can make concrete contributions in daily life – especially where people work, heat, print, and order every day.

And that's exactly where we come in: How do you make your office step by step more sustainable – without chaos, without dogma, but with clear, practical solutions?

Many measures don't cost any additional money – on the contrary, they even reduce your costs in the long run.

2.1 Office space & temperature – less space, less energy

• Review space requirements:
  Are all employees really using the same desks every day? Desk-sharing models, more home office, or smaller offices can significantly reduce heating and air conditioning costs. Unused spaces can be sublet or used differently.
• Allocate rooms sensibly:
  Better two people in a smaller, heated office than half an empty open-plan office. Large, empty rooms should rather be closed off or only used when needed.
• Optimize heating & ventilation:
  Shock ventilation instead of windows tilted open for hours.
  Appropriate room temperature instead of "T-shirt in winter, heating on 5".
  Shared heating and ventilation rules create acceptance and prevent "temperature wars".

2.2 Light & electricity – efficiency instead of continuous lighting

• Control lighting according to demand:
  Light corridors, toilets, kitchen only when in use – a small "lights off?" sign works wonders.
  At the workstation, a good desk lamp is often sufficient instead of full lighting.
• Optimize light sources:
  Only use LED or energy-saving lamps.
  Control shop window and outdoor lighting with a timer.
• Reduce batteries:
  Switch to rechargeable batteries wherever possible.

2.3 Commuting & mobility – climate-friendly arrival

• Bikes, public transport, and job tickets motivate employees to leave their cars at home.
• Companies can financially reward cycling trips or organize joint cycling campaigns.
• Less commuting means less CO₂ – and at the same time fitter, more alert employees.

Few offices will become completely paperless – but paper consumption can be significantly reduced.

3.1 Digital processes instead of paper stacks

• Map orders, protocols, approvals, and catalogs digitally.
• Actively invite customers to use digital alternatives (email confirmation, online catalogs, etc.).
• Consistently use digital filing structures (server, cloud, DMS).

3.2 If paper, then consciously – and sustainably

It's rarely possible to go completely without printouts. This makes the choice of the right paper all the more important.

4.1 "Chlorine-free" & "wood-free" – sounds good, but means little

Many papers advertise "chlorine-free" or "wood-free". This sounds ecological – but it's often only half as green as it seems:

• Chlorine-free bleached paper
  Uses virgin fibers from wood, which are chemically processed and bleached.
  "Chlorine-free" usually means: no elemental chlorine is used, but bleaching remains chemically complex.
  No statement about sustainable forestry.
• Wood-free paper
  Is not "without wood", but "without wood pulp".
  The yellowing-prone wood pulp is chemically removed so that the paper remains white.
  Again: newly produced paper, no recycling, no guarantee for sustainable forestry.

Conclusion: These terms are not true sustainability labels. Other criteria are crucial for environmental aspects.

4.2 Recycled paper – the significantly more sustainable choice

Recycled paper consists of 100% waste paper and significantly conserves resources.

Advantages of recycled paper:

• Available today in high quality and also in white.
• Significantly fewer chemicals compared to virgin fiber production.
• Saves on average about a third of water and about half of the energy.
• Long-term usually cheaper than high-quality virgin fiber paper.
• Available for almost all applications: copier paper, envelopes, tissue, thermal rolls, etc.

With a few routines, your printing behavior becomes significantly more sustainable:

1. For every document, ask: Does this really need to be printed?
2. Where possible: generally use recycled paper.
3. Set duplex printing (double-sided) as standard.
4. Slightly reduce font size, shrink margins, print multiple pages per sheet if appropriate.
5. Black and white instead of color – especially for internal documents.
6. Choose a lighter grammage if technically possible (less raw material consumption).
7. Use modern, low-emission printers and have them serviced regularly.
8. Award external print jobs according to ecological criteria (eco-friendly printers, mineral oil-free inks, resource-saving processing).

Many manufacturers – such as Canon – offer free take-back and recycling programs for toner cartridges and ink cartridges:

• Components are reused or used as raw material in other products.
• Plastics are partly used as a substitute for fossil fuels.
• Goal: No cartridges end up in landfills, but remain in circulation.

Tip: Consistently use manufacturer programs – if in doubt, we at Wiepa can help with selection and processing.

Labels help to identify sustainable products more quickly. It's important to know what they stand for.

7.1 The Blue Angel – strong statement for recycled paper

• One of Germany's best-known environmental labels.
• Strict criteria for:
  • Resource conservation (water, energy, material)
  • Pollutant avoidance
  • Emissions into air, water, soil
  • Durability and usability

Particularly important:
Paper products with the Blue Angel consist of 100% recycled paper. There are also other products with the Blue Angel (e.g., devices, cleaning agents, stationery).

7.2 EU Ecolabel – the European environmental label

• The official EU environmental label since 1992.
• Applies to many product groups and services.
• Considers, among other things, lower environmental impact, less waste and pollutants with consistent performance.

7.3 FSC & PEFC – responsible forest management

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)
Certifies wood from responsibly managed forests. Only "FSC Recycled" stands for products made from 100% recycled material.

PEFC
Also stands for sustainable forest management, e.g., adapted timber harvesting and protection of natural forests.

Important: FSC- and PEFC-certified paper can still be virgin fiber. For maximum resource conservation, recycled paper remains the best choice.

7.4 TCF & ECF – bleaching information

TCF (Totally chlorine free)
Paper bleached without chlorine and chlorine compounds.

ECF (Elementary chlorine free)
No elemental chlorine, but chlorine compounds are permitted.

Especially for imported pulp, it's worth checking these details.

7.5 The Wiepa Eco-Tip – guidance in the label jungle

We know: no one has time to study every product description in detail. That's why we mark particularly sustainable products in the Wiepa shop with our Eco-Tip.

This label is only given to articles that meet at least one of these conditions:

• bear a recognized environmental label (e.g., Blue Angel, EU Ecolabel),
• consist of at least 80% sustainable materials (e.g., high post-consumer recycled content),
• or offer a clear environmental advantage (e.g., vegan, solvent-free).

This way, you can quickly find the right, sustainable alternative without lengthy research.

With the right product selection, you reduce environmental impact without sacrificing quality.

8.1 Folders & dividers

• Folders made from 100% recycled cardboard
• Folders that are themselves fully recyclable
• Vegan folders (without animal components in glues/coatings)
• Dividers, separator strips, and suspension files made from recycled cardboard or recycled PP

8.2 Folders & filing systems

• Organizing folders, expanding files, correspondence files, and desk organizers made from up to 100% recycled paper
• Plastic folders made from recycled polypropylene
• Drawer boxes, letter trays, magazine files made from recycled plastics

What are recycled materials?

Recyclates are plastics obtained from already used products (post-consumer waste) – for example, from old household appliances or packaging.

Advantages:

• fewer primary raw materials
• products can often be recycled again
• ideal for replacing "new" plastic

8.3 Pens & Markers

Many "green pens" rely on:

• casings made from recyclates (e.g., PET bottles)
• components from renewable raw materials
• wood from FSC-certified forestry (for pencils)

8.4 Labels, Envelopes & Shipping

• labels made from recycled paper, chlorine-free bleached, solvent-free adhesive
• envelopes made from 100% recycled paper, some with bio-based windows
• paper padded bags instead of plastic padding

8.5 Gluing & Packaging

• adhesive tapes, hand and desktop dispensers made from recycled plastic
• paper packing tapes made from certified paper, some with natural rubber adhesive
• PVC-free, solvent-free adhesive tapes
• glue sticks with a very high proportion of renewable raw materials

Cleaning often happens daily in the office – making it a major lever for more sustainability.

• Use environmentally friendly cleaning, dishwashing, and hygiene products.
• Choose sustainable variants for wiping cloths, sponge cloths, etc. (recycled material or renewable raw materials).
• Use concentrates, tabs, and refill systems instead of constantly new bottles.
• Review cleaning cycles: Not every surface needs to be cleaned with chemicals daily.
• Coordinate clear, resource-saving hygiene plans with the cleaning team and sensitize employees.

At the same time, employer attractiveness increases: Younger generations, in particular, pay close attention to whether sustainability is taken seriously in the company.

In a private setting, DIY cleaning agents (e.g., based on vinegar, baking soda, citric acid) can be a valuable addition. They protect the environment and your wallet – and reduce packaging waste because bottles are reused again and again.

In everyday life at home, too:

• Prefer recycled paper
• Choose products with environmental labels
• Use reusable instead of disposable items

Do you want to make your office more sustainable step by step – without sifting through hundreds of product pages?

We support you with this:

• Analysis of your current office needs
• Suggestions for sustainable alternatives (paper, office organization, cleaning, shipping)
• Development of an eco-core assortment for your company
• Labeling and quick findability via our eco-tip in the Wiepa shop

Is recycled paper really as good as virgin fiber paper?

Yes. Modern recycled papers with the Blue Angel achieve high whiteness and run reliably in laser and inkjet printers, with significantly lower water and energy consumption in production.

Which eco-label is the most meaningful?

For recycled paper, the Blue Angel is the most reliable label, as it combines strict criteria for resource conservation and pollutants.

How do I best start if the budget is limited?

With the free measures: duplex printing as standard, recycled paper for the next order, LED lights for upcoming replacement. Larger changes can be phased in gradually.

Blue Angel
German Environment Agency

Sustainable Office Supplies: What really belongs?
Buying Guide Office Papers and Copy Papers