Exhibit Hall Real Estate Connect San Francisco 2010

While wondering the exhibit hall of Real Estate Connect San Francisco 2010 style at the Pre-Conference Day, amongst all of the technology we figured that no one would go out of there way to promote Green but then we spied some of the “go paperless” inspired companies. In the race to go paperless, a few innovative companies have stepped up to create a paperless universe (at least in terms of contracts).

In the real estate world, agents often use ridiculous amounts of paper in which to disclose, offer and negotiate which in old school terms means that many trees get the saw for that counter offer.  We passed the DocuSign booth and discussed with the folks the Green benefits of using their technology, which allows people to sign contracts with an electronic signature. No more printing contracts. Just sign on-line. We can see the sustainable value in an item that eliminates paper use and general waste. But we discussed how much energy it takes to run the servers that run the DocuSign program. It would take a third party study to determine the paper, ink, transport carbon footprint savings versus the energy used to run something like DocuSign.

We brought this conundrum to another paperless company that not surprisingly goes by the name Go Paperless. Similar to DocuSign this technology allows people to sign and mark up documents using a stylus and tablet PC. Again, saving paper versus using more energy.

We all know that the cost of people runs high in terms of its impact with deforestation, transportation, recycling, shredding, printing, etc. so even at the cost of added energy use, companies that reduce (one of the three Rs) paper consumption can only improve things. We just hope that these companies use this Green philosophy inside their corporate offices as well.

Scrap, which their pamphlet calls “a creative reuse center and workshop space” came about in 1976, way before recycling and Green became trendy, as a resource for artists and teachers. Scrap also set out to promote environmental awareness and creative reuse.

The non-profit Scrap, receives numerous donations from business, individuals, and various groups in their warehouse space. The groups not only keep these items from the landfill but they receive tax credits. This source for the resourceful also draws numerous artists, burners, and other just looking to re-use materials at a discount. Who needs some office warehouse when you can pick up a ream of freshly donated paper for about $3? Need envelopes, frames, textiles, flooring, jewelry at a discount then this place will serve for many, like me, as a shopping heaven.

Scrap also offers classes and workshops where people lean to reduce, reuse and recycle in various media and techniques. Apparently, New York City has there own version of Scrap. But with all of the waste and overflowing landfills, it would seem a no brainer to open Scrap like places in other cities. My idea – Scrap, the non-profit franchise. Shop on!