Given how much we rely on electronic communication, there is still an amazing amount of paper being used every day. While most of us have heard about reusing and recycling paper, it is questionable how much attention we pay to this advice. Have a look around your office now and see how much paper you’ve got lying around. Aside from the A4 copy printer paper what about the bank statements, business cards, post it notes, magazines etc.

Why should we reduce paper use?

Paper manufacturing occurs in many different parts of the world and has a number of environmental impacts:

• Use of Energy – the manufacture of paper is energy intensive contributing to global warming;
• Use of Water – lots of water is used which can impact local water supplies;
• Pollution – paper manufacture requires a wide range of chemicals with the potential to create air and water pollution;
• Solid waste – paper can only be recycled a limited number of times so eventually it will end up in the landfill (presuming it is recycled in the first place and doesn’t go straight to the dump);
• Deforestation – while paper production is not the primary cause of deforestation, in some parts of the world forests used for paper production are not managed sustainably.

According to the Zero Waste Organisation in New Zealand making paper with recycled rather than virgin content creates 74% less air pollution and 35% less water pollution. Also the Environmental Defense Fund has a nifty paper calculator which will show you the environmental impacts of your paper use.

So how can we reduce paper use?

• Being more conscious of the amount of paper you use and whether it is really necessary is the first step in reducing paper consumption.
• Think before you print. Don’t print an item unless you have to have a hard copy. When you do print choose double sided printing and copying. Train yourself to edit documents on screen so you don’t have to print draft copies.
• If you want some help with printing less there is software that gives you greater control over what parts of a document to print such as Green Print.
• Choose recycled paper for everything in your office from copy paper to business cards.
• Make sure paper is certified as chlorine free (TCF or PCF). Not all recycled paper is.
• Try to buy books and magazines printed on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper. The FSC is a non profit organisation that certifies responsible forestry. Better yet, get an eBook reader and forget the paper copy altogether.
• Give up the post it note addiction and go electronic.  There are a number of programs that will create sticky notes on your computer.
• Bill your customers electronically and request the bank send electronic statements.
• Reuse your paper in the office and send it for recycling when it has to be disposed of. Shredding paper shortens the paper fibres so reduces how often the paper can be recycled.
• You can put a one liner on your email asking people to think before they print. Is this likely to have a huge impact on world paper consumption – No, but it does help raise awareness of the issue. Remember though large footers on emails will increase the amount of paper used if the email is printed.

But doesn’ recycled paper cost more?

I haven’t checked every paper supplier in the world but generally yes recycled paper will be a little more expensive than the usual baseline paper but you can save money by reducing your overall paper consumption which will more than make up for the little bit extra you spend on recycled paper. Please leave a comment, I’d love to hear your ideas for reducing paper use.

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