EPA New England: Greening Our Operations

Paper Use

Using electronic transmission, automation and two-sided printing to reduce our paper usage

More than 99 million tons of paper and paperboard were used in the U.S. in 2005 (Paper Industry Association Council ). We also know that paper and paperboard are the largest component of municipal solid waste - 34% of the U.S. waste stream (Municipal solid Waste in the United States, 2005 Facts and Figures (PDF) (164 pp., 2.45 MB, about PDF)). Americans use and throw away a lot of paper!

Reducing our paper usage provides environmental and economic benefits:

• Fewer natural resources will be used for the production of paper.
• Air and water emissions from the production of paper will be reduced.
• Less space will be needed for the management and storage of paper documents.
• We'll spend less to buy paper.
• We'll save on supplies and maintenance of printers and copiers.
• We'll have less paper waste, lowering our costs for recycling and disposal, and reducing our impacts on the municipal waste stream.

Our daily practices – where we work and where we live -- present many opportunities to reduce our paper use.

Walking the Talk

At EPA New England we're taking steps to reduce our paper usage through three projects led by our regional Green Team:

Electronic Transmission Saving paper with office automations

Printing Minimizing the use of paper from computer printing

Mail Using automation to reduce the paper usage and electronic costs of bulk mailings

What You Can Do

Use the links below for information on reducing paper usage.

Paper Consumption, Using Less Wood Quick Facts Series, Resource Conservation Alliance (PDF) (2 pp., 1.01 MB, about PDF)
Statistics on paper consumption in the US, impacts on the environment, techniques for reducing paper usage in the office, links for more information

Reducing Office Paper Waste, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, May 2004 (PDF) (6 pp., 119 KB, about PDF)
Businesses and institutions are discovering they can reduce costs and preserve our natural resources by reducing, reusing and recycling paper.

Creating a Paper Reduction Campaign, California Integrated Waste Management Board

Business Junk Mail Reduction Project

Recycling: in the workplace, Paper Industry Association Council
Resources and tips for developing and promoting a workplace recycling program

The Measure of Success - Calculating Waste Reduction, EPA HQ (PDF) (18 pp., 1.64 MB, about PDF)
Information on developing a waste reduction program and evaluating its impact.

Tips for Waste Reduction in Schools, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection