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> Paper Purchasing
> Paper saving techniques
> Equipment use and paper saving
> Paper use policy into practice
> What else can you do?
The use of paper within the office is increasing
despite the idea that technology would bring about the paperless office.
It is important that
the current use of paper within the office changes.
The use of virgin
and old growth forests for office paper is destroying habitats and
communities in many parts of the world. The majority of
these trees are used for low-grade timber and office paper. Added
to this impact is the pulp and paper manufacturing process, which is
energy
intensive and a producer of considerable volumes of polluting waste.
To reduce these significant impacts every office can practice the
following:
Paper
Purchasing
Purchase paper:
-
That has a high-recycled content. With a post-consumer waste
content greater
than 70%.
-
That is, totally-chlorine free during production.
-
Sold with an accredited
environmental or green label that details emission standards
and post consumer waste content.
Paper saving techniques
Employ:
-
The most efficient possible use of paper with mandatory double-sided
photocopying
and printing.
-
The use of e-mail, and voice mail to minimise paper
use.
-
Green printing standards, printing paper documents that are
as short as possible
and only when necessary.
Equipment use and paper saving
Learn how to:
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Set the photocopier to print both sides as standard.
-
Use the revision
marking function available in most word processing software. Not
only will this save paper, it will also save you time,
because the changes only have to be made once rather than twice.
-
Use once used
paper for draft copies in all desktop printers.
-
Scan your letterhead
into the computer to produce an electronic template copy.
-
Re-use
paper used on one side for fax cover sheets and notepaper.
-
Retain
documents on your computer rather than in hard copy, this saves paper;
saves on file storage space and keeps them right
at your fingertips.
Paper use policy into practice
Establish:
-
Green printing standards with regular training and advice
for staff and new employees. (A simple bookmark placed ocasionally
on each desk detailing
basic paper-saving
techniques will help to remind people).
-
Regular paper audits prior to the collection of recycled
paper. Have a careful look through waste bins and estimate reused paper
against once
used paper.
-
Targets to reduce paper use where possible.
Make sure they are a realistic.
-
Recycle points near workstations
and ensure that staff are clear which paper
products are recyclable.
-
Simple codes/guidelines
for all staff so they can operate the photocopier correctly,
that is well-maintained and avoids mistakes
that waste paper.
-
Purchase photocopiers and laser printers, that give priority
to those with duplex (copying on both sides) capability,
and to plain-paper fax machines. Give preference
to equipment capable of using unbleached
paper with up to 100% post-consumer recycled content.
-
A space for publications
on your website so reports and documents can be downloaded
and viewed on-screen.
-
Email lists to distribute
e-version of of your latest reports. These benefit by being distributed
by the recipient
to additional recipients, thereby further
publicising your work.
What else can you do?
Where reports or newsletters must
be published in hard copy, there are many ways to reduce paper use:
-
Print on both sides of the paper.
-
Use line spacing of no more than 1.5.
-
Lay out your publication with
the minimum necessary white space.
-
Avoid using varnishes during printing.
-
If adhesive binding is necessary,
do not use those containing chlorinated organic
compounds.
-
If you send out free reports,
mail a post card first, notifying your recipients that the report
is available
if they want it and providing the means for them
to order a copy.
-
Label your publications
with relevant environmental information about how it was produced.
The more readers know about
the paper you use and how a document
was printed, the more likely it is that they
will consider using similar practices.
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