Reading reports on tablet computers saves paper and money, Far North District Council staff have found.
Since the switch to digital technology three months ago the council has saved more than 40,000 sheets of paper and is being lauded for its commitment to sustainability.
"It's particularly important for councils to practise environmental sustainability," Paper 4 Trees environmental educator Cayley Manson said. She is a manager at Paper 4 Trees, an education programme that helps schools and preschools reduce the amount of waste they send to landfills.
"It's really good to have councils getting on board so that younger generations can see it starting from the top," she said.
Te Hiku Ward council member Colin Kitchen said the amount of paper being wasted before the council turned to tablets was "unbelievable".
"It was just piles and piles of paper lying around and we had to sift through it all," Cr Kitchen said.
Ms Manson said the positive effects of reducing paper waste were more widespread than just saving trees. "It affects landfill space, carbon dioxide emissions and even water energy. Paper waste from schools makes up about 70 per cent of the waste stream and I imagine it would be something similar from organisations like councils," she said.
Cr Kitchen said the move to scrap paper had also been economically beneficial. "The cost benefits so far are brilliant and it's also been great for productivity."
Council advisory services manager Richard Palmer said the council was hoping to save at least $8500 a year. "We've already recovered the costs of purchasing them," Mr Palmer said. "Just by receiving the Draft Long Term Plan 2012-2022 submissions in electronic form we easily saved over $3500." The average cost of meeting agendas in hard copy was about $5000 a year.
"This move basically reduces our overall expenditure for our department and hopefully the savings this year can be used effectively next year," he said.
Cr Kitchen hoped the money saved would be put into infrastructure.
Ms Manson hoped more councils would follow suit and operate electronically.
Cr Kitchen said the decision to do so should be a no-brainer.
"I mean everyone has computers at home. It's time councils get up and running with modern technology."
However, he was doubtful whether they would be able to keep pace. "Everything changes so quickly. Now we're using tablets but I suppose in a few years everyone will just be doing everything on their phones. It's crazy."