Paper… yep it’s inescapable … we use it constantly to communicate and to maintain records. It’s used in packaging materials, cleaning products, even occasionally as a food ingredient. It’s certainly a necessary resource.
But do we have to use so darn much?
Some people save practically everything in paper form. Now, I’m not talking about the sentimental stuff like old concert ticket stubs or birthday cards. I’m referring to those of us who keep piles of memo’s from ’05 that they still haven’t gotten around to reading , their dry cleaning bills for the past decade, Us Weekly’s from the Jen Aniston and Brad era… some people may call these folks hoarders, I call ’em paper junkies.
Paper junkies: They print everything from the menu of the restaurant they plan to dine at for dinner to that 8 page spreadsheet they simply need one number from. Some paper addicts print because it’s easier on their eyes than reading from a PC, some simply out of routine. The problem is the click & print habit often leads to waste.
I’ve earned the nickname “Enviro-Beth” around my office because of my keen interest in conserving the amount we as a department and company print. I noticed that we’re giving out 40 + page reports to people who don’t have the time or simply don’t need/want to read them. I suggested we refine our list of who receives such docs and in response, we’re making positive strides.
Now I know I sound a little like an overzealous paper nazi, but my point is the little things add up.
According to the Clean Air Council the average American uses 650 lbs of office paper each year. They also say that Americans trash enough office paper each year to build a 12-foot wall from L.A. to New York City!
Here are some ways you can cut down on your paper waste:
We’d love to hear some other ways you save paper…
Posted by Beth
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