Question about returning documents: OP stated these are printouts, so what is the point of returning them if the original owner can just print them out again? W

Question about returning documents: OP stated these are printouts, so what is the point of returning them if the original owner can just print them out again? Wouldn't returning the documents actually put that person in trouble, because their superior will know this information was misplaced - or is it the point to notify superiors?