Around the world we use around 1 million tonnes of paper every day. Too much of this paper use is wasteful and unnecessary.
The consumption of paper in many parts of the word is on the rise, with expanding production and pulp wood harvesting threatening some of the last remaining natural forests and the people and wildlife that depend on them.
There are a few steps you can take to reduce this waste of paper
Follow the golden rule: think before you print
Pushing the print button is too easy...and wasteful. So the next time you are about to press that button, ask yourself the golden rule of saving paper: Do I really need to print this?
Use both sides of the sheet of paper
This is a real easy way of reducing your paper consumption by 50%. Set your printer or copier’s defaults to double sided. Select one-sided printing only when really needed. Find out more
Avoid printing out single line e-mails or unnecessary copies of documents Again just follow the golden rule and ask yourself whether you really need to the print.
Use technology
Electronic mail, Internet, Intranets and document scanners can radically reduce paper use, while also saving you time and money.
Recycle the paper you have and ask for recycled paper products
Collect the paper you use and then reuse where possible (print again on the other side if you printed on one side only or use it for note paper). And when you do have to buy new paper make sure it is recycled.
Save paper in your workplace
Reductions of 20% or more are possible in most offices. So ask your office manager what they are doing to reduce paper. Remind them that saving paper isn’t just about protecting the environment; it can also save them a lot of money!
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