What to focus on when choosing sustainable office supplies: 3 questions you should ask
The choice of office supplies today is no longer just a matter of price, availability or appearance. Companies are increasingly addressing what materials products are made from, how long they last, and what happens to them at the end of their life cycle.
Therefore, when purchasing sustainable office supplies, it is not enough to look for eco-friendly office supplies with green logos on the packaging. It is important to look at the entire product life cycle – from the origin of materials through its use to recycling options.
So how to choose office supplies more responsibly and practically?
1. What do certifications really mean?
Certificates can help to orient oneself more easily in sustainable purchasing and product selection. When it comes to office supplies, you will most often encounter labels such as FSC, PEFC, Blue Angel, EU Ecolabel or Nordic Swan.
FSC and PEFC certificates are often associated with paper, cardboard, or wood-based products. They inform that the raw material used comes from responsibly managed sources.
Environmental labels such as Blue Angel, EU Ecolabel or Nordic Swan assess, in addition to the origin of materials, the manufacturing process, the content of chemical substances, and the overall impact of the product on the environment.
Does it apply to the entire product?
However, the certificate itself does not automatically mean that the entire product has a smaller impact on nature. When purchasing, it is therefore important to verify:
what exactly is certified,
whether the certificate applies to the entire product or only part of it,
whether the supplier provides clear and verifiable information.
A product may communicate an FSC Certificate, but it may only apply to the cardboard packaging, not the product itself. Similarly, the label “made from recycled material” does not automatically tell the customer what proportion of recycled material the product contains or whether it can be further recycled after use.
2. How long is the product life cycle?
When choosing office supplies, it is advisable to answer two basic questions:
Is the product made from recycled materials?
Can it be recycled at the end of its life cycle?
The ideal solution is products that meet both criteria. The use of recycled materials helps reduce the need for new raw materials, and the possibility of recycling extends the product's value even after its use.
Even small changes in office purchasing can make a difference. Examples include pens with replaceable refills instead of repeatedly buying the whole pen, products with spare parts, or take-back solutions for used products.
Did you know that if you replace the refill three times instead of buying four new pens, you can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 68%?
From purchase to recycling
Lyreco offers customers solutions that support office waste recycling. These include, for example, a collection box for used markers or a Lyreco collection box for recycling laser toners and inks. Thanks to this, a responsible approach does not end with the purchase of a product, but continues even after its end of life.
"Responsible purchasing of office supplies is not about choosing the product with the most certifications. It is important to know what certifications truly mean, how transparently the supplier communicates, and what impact the product has from manufacturing to the end of its life cycle," says Norbert Vojtko, Sustainability Ambassador at Lyreco.
Recycled materials in modern design
An example of combining functionality and the use of recycled materials is the Exacompta Autentik collection. Letter trays, drawer units, document boxes or presentation lever arch files from this range are made from 100% recycled materials and are available in white for the first time.
The production of purely white office supplies from 100% recycled fibers is one of the most technologically demanding processes in this segment. However, the Autentik collection proves that sustainability does not have to mean a compromise in quality or higher costs. High durability also extends the lifespan of products and reduces the need for frequent replacement.
3. Does the supplier communicate transparently?
When making responsible purchases, it's not enough to have the right product. Also important is the supplier who provides the customer with the information needed for the right decision.
When choosing an office supplies supplier, therefore, pay attention to whether you can easily find:
information about certificates,
proportion of recycled material,
recycling options,
product documentation,
take-back solutions.
If you are making decisions about purchasing office supplies, transparent information will help you justify your decision not only to company management but also in the context of internal goals or ESG strategy.
Decide based on total costs
At Lyreco, we help customers navigate the assortment through Sustainable Choice, which simplifies product search based on clearer criteria. Our company also evaluates its suppliers and provides product information that facilitates customer decision-making.
Examples also include Lyreco own brand products, which combine quality, long lifespan, and an emphasis on more responsible material selection.
Therefore, when comparing the price of office supplies, it is worth looking not only at the initial investment but also at the product's lifespan, reusability, and the costs associated with its replacement.
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