Green Tech Girl

One of my best friends in the office is a label maker. It is a small machine that has a keyboard with a tiny screen and all it does is output sticky labels. I finally got one to get some serious organizing done and I find it truly makes my filing 10 times easier.

I also re-use my folders this way, by applying new labels over the old ones.

Yet, I have to wonder. Which is worse for the environment: Throwing out used folders and killing more trees to make new ones, or re-using folders by sticking on a label that requires new tape, a piece of electronics, and waste in the form of a used tape cartridge?

Another option is to create new labels with a computer, but that also takes up paper, involves adhesive, and uses up printer ink.

I suppose I could just handwrite on the sheet of computer labels, but for some reason that seems to drop my productivity and organization by a huge amount.

I think my biggest concern with the portable label maker is the cartridge. There seems to be no way to recycle it.

Perhaps I should just get one of those old fashioned label creators, that punches it out on a simple roll of tape.

But then I wouldn’t have my fancy label-making toy. See…I’m now justifying my e-waste. Shameful, really. Oh well.

Tags: label maker