8 Ways to Green Your Paper Use
This story is part of Earth911’s “Green Eight” series, where we showcase eight ways to green your life in various areas.
We may talk of a paperless world, but paper still makes up 35 percent of our solid waste. Even though new paper can be created by growing more trees, that doesn’t mean we can’t be smart about the paper we use. Here’s eight ways to optimize your paper use for the environment’s sake:
1. Save Those Boxes
Many of your larger purchases will come in a cardboard box that you can’t wait to get rid of. While you may not have a need for the plastic packaging (you can find a location to recycle plastic using Earth911), the box can definitely come in handy for:
- Wrapping gifts
- Shipping packages
- Moving
The beauty of cardboard is that it can be collapsed into a flat sheet for easy storage under a bed, mattress or in the back of a closet. All you need to create a “new” box is some tape.
2. Recycle Your Mail
No matter how many mailing lists you unsubscribe from, you’re still going to have paper to dispose of after reading your mail. Almost all of it can be recycled as mixed paper, so why not set up a bin for your letters, catalogs and multi-color advertisements?
Two mail-related products you may wonder about are envelopes with plastic windows and stapled paper. Both are most likely accepted in your area, because the metal and plastic can be filtered out prior to recycling.
3. Pay Bills Online
You can reduce the amount of mail you need to recycle in the first place by signing up to receive statements via email. You’ll decrease paper use, save money on stamps and have easy access to your information online. Plus, payments posted online send you an email confirmation so you can feel confident about avoiding late fees.
4. Print Double-Sided
Computer paper has two sides; how many are you printing on? If you have a laser printer at home, you can change the setting to double-sided printing and copying. Otherwise, consider printing documents one page at a time and printing the second page on the back of the first. It may take you more time, but you’ll also have less paper to buy.
5. Buy Recycled
Paper recycling is only beneficial if a market is generated for recycled content. Guess what: you generate that market by buying recycled content paper. In the case of newspaper, you’re buying recycled without even knowing it. For computer paper, the higher the recycled content, the better for the environment (100 percent recycled is available at most office supply stores). Ask about recycled content paper at you’re local copy store as well.
6. Get a Library Card
If buying recycled content paper is green, renting paper is neon green. The library may seem out of date with internet access and national book chains, but it’s a great way to reuse paper. You can also find newspapers and magazines at the library, and sometimes even textbooks. If you decide to get rid of books, find book reuse and recycling locations using Earth911.
7. Make Paper Bag Book Covers
With more cities placing restrictions on the use of plastic bags, paper bags may be your packaging of choice. Well, these bags have many reuse options to keep them out of the trash, including covering your hardcover books. This also protects your books from damage and food stains. Plus, once you’re done with the cover you can still recycle the bag with the rest of your paper.
8. Recycle Phone Books
How many recycle telephone directories into new white and yellow pages, as well as insulation material and the aforementioned grocery bags.
Lori Boyce
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Use the reverse side of non-confidential paper for note pads, game score sheets etc..
Donate non-confidential paper to your local pet store where they can use it in the cages / kennels for bedding.
Donate non-confidential paper to a day care center or elementary school for coloring / art projects.
pat penna
posted on October 30th, 2008 at 6:45 am
I recycle as much of my mail as possible by putting it in the recycle bin, but before it goes in the bin it is used as scrap paper for reminders to myself and family, shopping lists etc… I esp. like to use the coupon booklets that come in the mail, i use it as a notepad in my purse. And then , recyle after use.
Connie Cook
posted on November 19th, 2008 at 11:55 am
I used some old office paper that was to be thrown out as a sticker book for my three year old. He loves it.
brianna
posted on December 11th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
8 more ways to halp our earth and im happy to have people who care. my robotics team go around and ask teachers at my school if they want to be green roomsand if they say yes we put up a sing that says green room and go around tues-thurs to collect bottles and paper we collect paper once a week also we give the bottles tops toto a teacher that gives it to her granddaughter in virgina and the caps help the kids for chemotherapy SAY ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!ALL U GUYS DO FOR RECYCLING IS GREAT YOU TO MRS.COOK.
Nancy
posted on January 14th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
We spend 1/2 the year in Olympia, WA where we recycle almost everything in curbside containers. When we come back to our California home, it is so much more difficult to recycle. I wish my town had curbside recycling, or some place in town (93644) where we could recycle newspapers, magazines, mail, etc. Our church has begun collecting plastic and cans for recycling and use the money to help with children’s ministry. It is so dumb to fill our landfills when we could be “green’ like Washington State.
STACEY
posted on January 27th, 2009 at 4:06 am
COME ON AND RECYCLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xoxox p.s SAVE THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Naila
posted on February 4th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Can you produce your 8 ways in PDF file with relevant color pictures? I sometimes post them in our lunchroom. it would be nice to have something that catches eyes right away and get people interested in reading.
Chris
posted on March 25th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Has anyone ordered from an office supply store? I would order an item the size of a stapler and it would come in a box the size of a microwave. What is up with that? Office supply companies should take on the responsibility of taking back and reusing these boxes.
lina
posted on March 31st, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I recycle computer paper by using it as scratch paper for homework. Not all of them have enough space to write on but I try to use most of it, then I throw it in the recycle box.
Lourde
posted on April 20th, 2009 at 7:24 am
Hey I think that this website is a great thing that you guys have done!
Paula
posted on May 6th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Hi! My first time posting. I’ve started a recycle program(so to speack) at my church office. I’ve been attempting to get it started in our fellowship hall, where we have weekly programs and other events. I feel like I’m fighting a losing. People ignore the recycle signs and put their trash in recycleable containers and their recycle in the trash. I could use any helpful hints!
Nancy
posted on May 15th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
My first time to post. And first time to your website. So far I like what I see.
I use backside of computer paper not only for notes and figuring whatever,and grocery lists, but when I’m finished with them they go thru the shredder , then into the compost pile. Yes, paper is GREAT! for composting.
Newspaper,5 or 6 sheets at a time, laid on the groung in flower beds or gardens, then covered with wood chips is a good way to keep weeds at bay.and recycle the paper, too.
Christine
posted on July 22nd, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Do you have to recycle whole sheets of paper, or can you recycle little scraps, too? I am really into recycling but my family isn’t.
Summer
posted on July 28th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
So happy I found this website! I have always been “green” and am always trying to get others to do the same. I have always lived in a small community where the people think there is no point or it takes to much time. Truth is there IS a point and it doesn’t take anymore time than throwing things in the trash…as a matter of fact the trash has to go out LESS OFTEN when doing so because there is LESS trash!!!(guys lol) I will never give up the fight! I recently moved in with my boyfriend and got on this site to find a location that accepts recycles! GO GREEN!!!
sandy
posted on August 19th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
i think think it great to recycle why cant everyone do it iys that hard
Rhonda Fitzgerald
posted on November 11th, 2009 at 8:15 am
As a medical student I vowed to prevent, preserve, and do my part in helping society grow towards a better tomorrow. It is my pleasure to be apart of helping society as a whole.