Automated Proofreading—A Sustainable Approach to Proofreading That Reduces Carbon Footprint in the European Union and Beyond
The current global climate urges sustainability not just in individual aspects of our lives, but also in the ways we conduct business - from European Union (EU) markets and beyond.
As individuals and businesses alike strive to reduce their carbon footprint, innovative solutions emerge to address this growing concern, one solution lies in automated proofreading—a tool that not only enhances the overall efficiency of workflows across various industries but also contributes to the sustainability efforts of global organizations.
The Environmental Impact of Traditional Proofreading Methods
Traditional manual proofreading methods involve printing documents on paper, manually reviewing them, and making corrections by hand. This approach is not only time-consuming but it is also resource intensive as vast amounts of paper are required to proofread documents while significant energy for printing and transportation is also needed.
Additionally, manual reviews are unreliable methods that are prone to human error, especially when dealing with complex documentation that includes small text, graphics, barcodes, and braille. This increases the risk of misprints and leads to resources being wasted for a single set of documents or packaging assets.
Now, consider the cumulative effect of this process across industries and sectors worldwide, and the effect these manual methods have on the environment becomes evident. From forest depletion for paper production to emissions generated by transportation and disposal, traditional proofreading practices can significantly contribute to ecological degradation.
According to studies from Gartner, 50 percent of business waste is composed of paper products, with the average office worker going through 10,000 sheets of paper per year. These numbers alone are staggering and don’t even account for other print products such as boxes, labeling, and packaging.
In the EU alone for example, from 2010 to 2021, paper and cardboard was the main packaging waste material (34.0 million tonnes in 2021), Looking further at the environmental implications, 40 percent of the world’s timber is being cut down for paper production, making the need for sustainability in business practices in the EU and globally even more apparent as brands and consumers alike should look for ways to limit this waste in resources.
Automated Proofreading for Sustainability
Automated proofreading offers a sustainable alternative that aligns with modern technological advancements. By leveraging innovative technologies, automated proofreading software meticulously inspects documents for errors in text, graphics, barcode and braille, eliminating the need for manual reviews.
This digitalization not only leads to less physical resources, like paper, being used, it also increases accuracy in proofreading, lowering the risk of errors slipping through to print, resulting in less reprints and less waste in production.
Specifically, automated proofreading technology plays a significant role in promoting sustainability across various industries in the EU through the following sustainability efforts.
Paper Reduction
Automated proofreading eliminates the need for printing documents for proofreading purposes. By inspecting digital files directly, it drastically reduces paper consumption. This reduction in paper usage not only conserves valuable natural resources but also minimizes the environmental impact associated with paper production, transportation, and disposal.
Energy Conservation
Additionally, traditional proofreading methods involving printing and manual reviews consume substantial amounts of energy. By automating the proofreading process, automated proofreading software reduces the energy consumption associated with printing equipment and related machinery. This conservation of energy contributes to lower carbon emissions and supports EU business efforts in creating more sustainable and environmentally friendly processes.
Waste Reduction
Manual proofreading often results in discarded or outdated printed materials, contributing to waste generation. With automated proofreading software, errors are identified and corrected digitally, eliminating the need for physical copies and reducing waste.
It is also important to note that the software finds errors in the early stages of asset development, mitigating the risk of errors slipping through in the final phases of production and print. This helps prevent misprints from occurring and significantly reduces waste production, increasing the sustainability of EU business practices and processes.
Enhanced Accuracy
Automated proofreading software offers unparalleled accuracy in error detection and correction. By leveraging the latest and most advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, this software identifies even the smallest errors that are likely to be overlooked manually. This high level of accuracy reduces the need for reprints and revisions, further minimizing resource consumption and waste generation.
Streamlined Workflows
Automated proofreading software streamlines workflows by automating repetitive tasks and accelerating the identification of errors. This efficiency improvement not only saves time and resources but also enhances overall productivity. By optimizing workflows, the technology enables organizations in the EU to accomplish more with fewer resources, ultimately promoting sustainability through resource efficiency.
Remote Collaboration
Automated proofreading facilitates remote collaboration by enabling users to proofread documents digitally from any location. This capability reduces the need for physical meetings and transportation, thereby lowering carbon emissions associated with travel. By promoting remote work and collaboration, the technology supports sustainable practices by minimizing environmental impact
.
Increased Sustainability with GlobalVision's Suite of Automated Proofreading & Quality Inspection Tools
As we continue to strive to reduce our carbon footprint and increase sustainability, adopting automated proofreading technology represents a meaningful step in the right direction. More specifically, GlobalVision's suite of automated proofreading and quality inspection tools are the ideal solution for promoting sustainability within various regulated industries as it is not only tailored to meet the stringent standards of regulated industries, it also streamlines revision workflows to reduce the unnecessary use of resources and energy.
GlobalVision’s Verify
For pharmaceuticals, CPG, and agencies in the EU, GlobalVision’s Verify is a cloud-based automated proofreading solution that can help increase sustainability within regulatory compliance, labeling quality control, and promotional materials quality control. By digitizing the document and packaging asset review process, the platform minimizes paper and energy consumption throughout the asset development life cycle. Organizations in the EU will be able to use less paper and energy throughout the regulatory, labeling, and promotional stages.
GlobalVision Desktop
For print and packaging companies in the EU, as well as incoming quality assurance within brands, GlobalVision Desktop helps sustainability in processes pertaining to press quality control and production quality control Built for use in production and incoming quality environments, GlobalVision Desktop combines powerful inspection tools into one robust application and ensures files are accurate as they move along the quality workflow.
Due to its precision and accuracy, the platform minimizes errors that lead to production waste. It also minimizes document versions and decreases revision times leading to a significant reduction of paper and energy use across the production lifecycle and increases sustainability of workflows.
Conclusion
Striving to become more sustainable in your everyday processes whether big or small—matters. Automated proofreading represents a tangible and impactful way for organizations in the EU and beyond to reduce their carbon footprint and increase sustainability while optimizing productivity and accuracy. Not only will it enhance operational efficiency but it will also significantly reduce resource consumption and waste generation.
By leveraging advanced technologies, such as Verify, businesses can streamline revision workflows, minimize paper and energy use, and ensure the accuracy of critical documents from the very beginning of the production lifecycle.Overall, automated proofreading not only contributes to individual businesses' sustainability goals but also advances collective efforts towards a greener, more sustainable future for all.
Request a demo of Verify’s automated proofreading software today and see how this technology can revolutionize your every day, sustainable business practices.
