GREEN YOUR: OFFICE {PRINTING}

In an effort to reduce my paper consumption I started printing on both sides of the sheet. It wasn’t enough. Then I started keeping digital logs of client’s emails rather than printing all of them. It still wasn’t enough. Switching to recycled paper made me feel a little bit better, but I still wanted to do more.

One day it struck me. I can kill three birds with one stone.

1. Reduce my paper consumption.
2. Reduce my paper waste.
3. Save money by recycling my own paper.

It’s simple. Any 8 1/2 x 11 paper coming into our household that has a blank side goes into the printer paper tray. Whether it be junk mail, donation requests, church newsletter, school information, the children’s old assignments, anything. As long as it has a blank side it can be reused. And, it does not matter if it has been folded, hole punched, or stapled. It all goes through just fine, I promise. Just be sure to remove any staples first!

I have managed to buy far less paper by scavenging any half blank sheets I can find. I have reduced the amount of paper that ends up in the trash by reusing it. Sadly, our municipality does not recycle paper, only newsprint. Ridiculous! And, I have saved money by recycling (reusing) all the free paper floating around the house.

People are freely giving it to you. Why not use it? I submitted this as a challenge suggestion to Carbonrally in hopes of inspiring others to make this simple change. Do some good for the planet and your wallet at the same time. Put your mail to work!