PaperPulse Blog

Boise Paper's online blog brings you a paper maker's perspective on current events, tips for a better office life, and information on paper market trends. Check out these tips for making the most of your office, home, and community life...

Subscribe to Monthly Update

State of the Industry: 2023 Paper Market

State of the Industry: 2023 Paper Market

While inflation, supply and the COVID-19 rebound were some key factors affecting the paper industry last year, this year looked a little different. In a recent report, Fastmarkets provided insight on the current state of the paper industry and what happened throughout 2023.

Following the Paper Trail: the Paper Recycling Process Explained

Following the Paper Trail: the Paper Recycling Process Explained

America Recycles Day, celebrated annually on November 15, is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States. Its purpose is to educate and encourage individuals on how to be more mindful of what they consume, where and how to properly recycle, and to pledge to recycle more and recycle right in their everyday lives.

Employees and Technology Drive Evolving Office Culture

Employees and Technology Drive Evolving Office Culture

The workforce is evolving as office culture changes and adapts to the ideas and values of the 21st century. Technological advancements, a growing emphasis on work-life balance, and the aftermath of a global pandemic have all played a role in reshaping the way people work and interact in professional settings.

How to Avoid Paper Jams

How to Avoid Paper Jams

One of the most frustrating experiences when printing or copying is when you encounter a paper jam. Not only does it disrupt workflow, but it also wastes time and resources. To help avoid paper jams and keep your printing and copying processes running smoothly, here are a few useful tips.

Creating a Positive Remote Culture

Creating a Positive Remote Culture

Working remotely offers numerous benefits, such as increased flexibility and improved work-life balance, but it also presents unique challenges for managers aiming to foster a positive company culture.

Tips for Reducing Paper Waste by Optimizing Printing

Tips for Reducing Paper Waste by Optimizing Printing

Printing is a common and sometimes essential part of our daily work routine, but it can also be a large source of paper waste in the home or office. The good news is that with a few simple changes, you can optimize your printing practices and reduce paper waste. Here are four tips to help you get started.

A Professional’s Guide to Writing Emails

A Professional’s Guide to Writing Emails

According to Oberlo, over 347 billion emails will be sent and received per day in 2023. That’s a lot of digital communication! For many people in the workforce, sending emails has become second nature.

3 Things You’ve Never Considered About Paper

3 Things You’ve Never Considered About Paper

Paper is just paper, right? Well, not quite. Paper is an essential part of our lives, providing us with the ability to express ideas, organize thoughts, and communicate with others. The role it plays is big, but smaller details can often be overlooked.

2022 Fire Impacting Recycled Paper Production

2022 Fire Impacting Recycled Paper Production

If you noticed it was harder to get recycled paper over the past several months, you weren’t alone. On Oct. 6, 2022, a large fire broke out at the Resolute Forest Products warehouse in Menominee, Michigan. Resolute – a global leader in the forest products industry, producing market pulp, paper, tissue, and wood products – is one of the largest producers of the pulp used to make recycled office paper in North America.

Staying Organized to Build Productivity in 2023

Staying Organized to Build Productivity in 2023

Many people have just one New Year’s resolution: get. more. done. Who wouldn’t want to be productive, stay organized, and lessen stress in 2023? But it’s not always easy. Productivity often means creating daily habits that require effort, consistency, planning, and using the right tools to stay organized. Here are a few to get you started.

Get the Most Out of Color Printing

Get the Most Out of Color Printing

With the rise of inflation, even the smallest expenses are under scrutiny. Color ink is notorious for being expensive, but there are ways to optimize the quality and quantity of your printing. Make the most out of your ink investment with a few of these tips:

Learning with Paper in a Digital Age

Learning with Paper in a Digital Age

Over the last decade, people of all ages and demographics have turned to remote learning and work, keeping notes online and using digital calendars and to-do lists. But for many, using pen and paper to take notes is a better way to learn and remember.

Mentor Programs Improve Employee Experience

Mentor Programs Improve Employee Experience

Mentor programs in the workplace are often used to integrate new employees into their new role. However, a mentoring program is also important for ongoing employee satisfaction and retention, as well as building an overall positive company culture.

Value Propositions to Consider when Buying Paper

Value Propositions to Consider when Buying Paper

Paper is one of the most utilized tools in the workplace and is likely a large part of a business’s spending, so the price of paper is a main concern. However, price is just one component of the total cost of buying and consuming paper. Other factors that impact cost include performance, consistency, appearance, and manufacturer support.

Cost Efficiency Drives Value for Procurement Organizations

Cost Efficiency Drives Value for Procurement Organizations

Cost reduction is at the top of the agenda for any business, according to an article by The Hackett Group titled, “Achieving Procurement Excellence in the Age of Digital Disruption.” The report highlights five key areas of development that procurement organizations need to address to deliver new value and higher efficiency:

How to Evaluate Sustainable Paper Options

How to Evaluate Sustainable Paper Options

Did you know not all sustainable products are created equal? Every month more brands pop up claiming to be more sustainable. Unfortunately, sustainability can be a complex topic that many customers don’t fully understand. When it comes to paper, some think “sustainable” and “recycled” are the same thing, but they’re not.

2022 Supply Chain Outlook and Trends

2022 Supply Chain Outlook and Trends

Last year was difficult for everyone – including the supply chain and logistics industries. The world faced historic supply chain congestion, labor shortages, and high inflation. There is hope 2022 will see infrastructure, prices, and consumer demand begin to stabilize, but there are also a lot of headwinds. Keeping an eye on supply and demand trends can help companies position themselves for success.

Three Types of Paper Every Business Should Stock

Three Types of Paper Every Business Should Stock

Finding the best paper options for your office can be a challenging task. Every office should stock a variety of paper types to ensure the quality of the finished print aligns with your project needs. Here are some paper types to consider when stocking up at work or at home

Five Tips to Master Virtual Leadership

Five Tips to Master Virtual Leadership

Being a good leader in the workplace is challenging, but managing remote workers adds a whole new set of difficulties. COVID-19 accelerated the trend towards remote and hybrid work situations – and it looks like regular collaboration with remote teammates is here to stay.

Speech Writing and Presenting 101

Speech Writing and Presenting 101

If the thought of public speaking makes you sweat in your seat, you’re not alone. In fact, in one study conducted among business school students, three out of four individuals admitted to being afraid of public speaking.

Online Networking Tips in a Virtual World

Online Networking Tips in a Virtual World

Maintaining and building great relationships is important for career development, but the good old days of handshakes, client dinners, and conference meet-and-greets are gone – at least for a while.

Wildfire Season: Forestry Impact

Wildfire Season: Forestry Impact

Exceptionally hot and dry weather is once again fueling dozens of wildfires across North America, sending smoke all the way from the West coast to the East, and nearing yet another record-breaking year.

Tips and Tools to Use Time Wisely at Work

Tips and Tools to Use Time Wisely at Work

For many people, today’s hybrid work environment allows for greater work/life balance – if they’re able to get the work done. Adding efficiency into your workday can mean more time for family, friends, and fun. Here are some tips and tools to be more productive and efficient with work time, so you’ll have more play time in the long run.

Greenwashing: What is it and how to avoid it

Greenwashing: What is it and how to avoid it

When it comes to what we buy, the vast majority of consumers are interested in making better, more sustainable choices for the planet. In fact, a recent survey by LendingTree reports that 55% of respondents said they were willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products, and 41% of millennials reported spending more on eco-friendly products.

Using Habits Developed During COVID-19 to Stay Healthy at Work

Using Habits Developed During COVID-19 to Stay Healthy at Work

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all learned a tremendous amount about protecting ourselves and staying healthy. As remote workers return to the office, it’s important to continue taking safety measures and creating long-term habits to protect yourself and your coworkers. Here are four tips to help you stay safe.

The Best Multitasking Paper for the Whole Family

The Best Multitasking Paper for the Whole Family

More than ever, the home has become the center of daily life, serving as the office, school, daycare, restaurant, and more. Even as the world gets back to “normal” with in-person activities starting up again, working and learning from home – at least part of the time – will likely be the “new normal” moving forward.

Face-time vs. Phone-time: Which type of meeting should you schedule?

Face-time vs. Phone-time: Which type of meeting should you schedule?

Video conferencing has quickly grown in popularity over the last year with the mass transition to remote work. While video conferencing is a powerful tool to bridge the location gap and connect teams virtually, the rapid increase in popularity has overshadowed audio-only calls as the best option for certain meetings.

The “New” Office Life: One Year Later

The “New” Office Life: One Year Later

When COVID-19 disrupted the world in March 2020, everyone was forced to alter their typical routines. What initially started as a two-week lockdown turned into our “new normal;” and even when the world gets back to business post-COVID, many changes to how we work are expected to last.

Finding Quality Products Starts with You

Finding Quality Products Starts with You

When we think about quality, we often think about how well or poorly something is made. With paper, that’s partially true. The manufacturing process is important in creating a quality sheet, but what’s more important in determining total quality are performance and outcomes – how well-suited a paper is for what you need to accomplish.

A New Administration Sets Its Course

A New Administration Sets Its Course

Last month, a new administration took over in Washington D.C., with the inauguration of President Joe Biden. Many new senators and representatives also assumed new roles within the government.

A Simple Formula to Influence Strategy

A Simple Formula to Influence Strategy

Traditionally, procurement and supply chain management have been viewed as secondary functions compared to others in management. Depending on whether your company is Finance, Operations, Sales or Marketing driven, it seems like key decisions are made by others and procurement is responsible for negotiating the best deals to make it happen.

The Right Tools to Use to Save Big

The Right Tools to Use to Save Big

The COVID-19 pandemic has been brutal to nearly all businesses. With nearly 79% of small businesses reporting a negative effect by last summer*, cutting costs is more important than ever to survive in this tough environment. Here are some user-friendly virtual tools to help you get work done on a budget.

Four Tips to Improve Workflow and Efficiency

Four Tips to Improve Workflow and Efficiency

Do you know what causes paper jams? If not, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey by Boise Paper, more than 50% of office paper buyers believe that equipment malfunctions most often cause paper jams. In fact, low-quality paper is often to blame – a fact known by only 26% of buyers in the survey.

Five Tips to Declutter Your Desk for Success

Five Tips to Declutter Your Desk for Success

No matter where you’re working, it’s important to have a workspace that encourages productivity and allows you to focus on your priorities, free of distraction. Piles of paper, unorganized office supplies, and leftover snacks or lunch can make it hard to be productive.

How to Judge the Quality of Office Paper

How to Judge the Quality of Office Paper

Paper is paper, right? Wrong! Office paper is categorized by a variety of properties that determine the quality of the finished product. From weight to brightness, below are some elements to look for when selecting a high-quality office paper.

Evaluating Wellness Programs

Evaluating Wellness Programs

One of the five most frequently cited ways businesses measure health and safety goals are through health and wellness initiatives and programs (83%), according to a recent white paper from the Institute for Supply Management® completed in partnership with Boise Paper*.

The ASPEN Difference

The ASPEN Difference

There’s a reason Boise® ASPEN® is America’s top-selling recycled paper brand*. Thanks to technological advances and rigorous production standards, Boise Paper’s high-quality ASPEN products are designed to exceed your expectations and provide consistent document production.

Monitor Expenses to Find Ongoing Savings

Monitor Expenses to Find Ongoing Savings

Now more than ever, every dollar counts – especially for small businesses. Most businesses take stock of their expenses at the end of each year and implement a few changes based on their findings.