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Offices use 1.5 pounds of paper per person every day, most of which contains little or no recycled content. Indeed, about 93 percent of today's paper comes from virgin trees and is responsible for about a fifth of the total wood harvest worldwide.[1] A single sheet of copy or writing paper might contain fibers from hundreds of different trees that have collectively traveled thousands of miles, potentially from timber logged in regions with ecologically valuable, biologically diverse habitat.[1][2]

Wasteful production

The paper industry is also energy-intensive, using 11.5 percent of the energy in the industrial sector.[3] Producing and transporting a single sheet of paper requires more energy than a printer, fax, or photocopier consumes in producing an image on it.[1] Also, compared to paper production from virgin fiber, manufacturing recycled paper reduces air and water pollution by 74 percent and 35 percent respectively.[1]

One ton of 100 percent recycled paper saves 4,100 kWh of energy, 7,000 gallons of water, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, and 60 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.[4] If 10,000 office workers switched to using 100 percent recycled paper (as opposed to using virgin paper), the paper waste avoided would fill 23 three-drawer filing cabinets each day.[5]

Waste reduction

Offices are reducing paper consumption by using less paper, reusing paper where appropriate, and recycling. Many offices are also encouraging employees to digitize as much as possible by reviewing documents on-screen rather than on paper, sending emails rather than memos and letters, etc.[6] By going "paperless," Owens Corning has saved $30 million in lease costs for the 14,000 filing cabinets once required to store all its paper files.[7]

Up to 50 percent of office garbage is paper that is recyclable. Businesses are saving money by reducing the amount of mail they receive (by removing themselves from mailing lists and encouraging staff members to share publications) and by selling paper waste to recyclers.[8] Through many paper-saving programs, like concerted recycling efforts, double-sided printing, modified reporting procedures, and increased email usage, Bank of America has saved large quantities of paper and diverted even more paper from the waste stream every year, while saving themselves hundreds of thousands of dollars in trash hauling fees.[9]

Glossary

• kWh : Kilowatt-hour, a measure of electric energy equal to the amount of electricity needed to run ten 100-watt light bulbs for one hour.

External links

• Businesses for Social Responsibility works to help companies integrate sustainable business practices into strategy and operations.
• Conservatree has an excellent online guide for choosing environmentally friendly paper products for the office.
• Co-Op America’s WoodWise Program brings attention to the growing deforestation problem associated with paper production.
• Earth 911 has a special program for businesses to help them incorporate eco-friendly waste management practices into everyday practices.
• Energy Calculator for Small Businesses by ENERGY STAR
• Environmental Paper Network works toward transforming the paper industry by helping purchasers, industry, and individuals.
• Envirowise provides practical environmental advice for businesses.
• Forest Ethics a forest protection nonprofit organization.
• GreenBiz - Greening Your Business: A Primer for Smaller Companies
• The Green Office An online retailer offering recycled, environmentally friendly, and sustainable business products, school supplies, and paper.
• Rate it Green is dedicated to finding the best green building and design products and services, including forums and ratings by members.