Using environmental paper is a powerful step to becoming more environmentally responsible.  If everyone, or many…or even some switched to recycled paper, tree free paper and other recycled products, it would make a big difference.  After all, the paper industry is the fourth largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and 1/3 of landfills are filled with paper.  Common sense efforts in the office and home can be made to reduce paper use, and hopefully the actions will be observed by others, and they will be inspired to do the same.  

In the office, always choose recycled paper or tree free paper for copy paper, envelopes, folders, etc.  They are readily available, and look for 100% PCW (post consumer waste) recycled paper for the greatest environmental impact.  In addition to responsible purchases, a simple action to save paper is to use both sides of the paper.  Sound simple? Yes, but not many companies follow this easy practice!  If paper has not been printed on both sides, it can be repurposed for writing messages or scrap paper.  Also, before printing a document from a computer, adjust the settings to print out only what is needed.  When there is no more need for the documents, paper can be shredded and used for packing material.  The remaining paper should be properly recycled in the paper recycling bin.  It is all about common sense, reusing and repurposing.  

At home, consider cloth napkins instead of paper, as well as using dish towels instead of paper towels.  Environmental paper napkins and paper towels are also available for purchase, and are a responsible choice.  Another habit which will conserve is to pay bills and view banking statements online.  Think of the countless homes receiving pages of itemized notations, when it could be viewed electronically without using one sheet of paper.  Also, don’t forget to visit and support the local library where a multitude of information can be found for pleasure reading or research in existing volumes of books.  No need to buy a new book, only to collect dust and clutter up a home after it is read.  

All of these tips are very straightforward and will not take any extra time, and they do not cost anything.  They are simple habits which will conserve precious resources, and reduce waste.