Paper Mountain

Simple everyday actions to reduce paper

Before your print, ask yourself do you really need a hard copy?
Set your printer default to double side - immediately halving your paper consumption
Swap your post-it notes for a whiteboard marker. If you do not have a white board near you, your office window is a great alternative (just remember to wipe off your notes when your finished).
Are PDA's write for you? Electronic devices such as PDA's and dictaphones help you reduce paper.
Brush up on your typing skills and take your laptop into meeting. While it does take more effort to remember your laptop and keep up with the discussion, with a bit of practice you will be saving both paper and time.
Challenge your workmates to a "No Print Day". The challenge is to not print any paper on the designated day. If successfully reward employees with a morning tea shout. If popular it could become a monthly challenge.
Share publications and develop an internal distribution list or sign up to the electronic version and everyone can read it at the same time.
Cancel your phonebook order and encourage staff to use the Yellow and White pages. If your organisation really needs a phonebook, keep a copy at reception for everyone to use.

Set up a Good-On-One-Side (GOOS) box for your single sided paper. Place the GOOS box on desktops, beside printers and photocopiers.
Make the paper from your GOOS box into memo cubes and note pads.
Got too much single sided paper? Take it home for the kids to scribble and draw on.
Shred your confidential paper and take it home to use as a garden mulch, liner for your pets bed put in your compost bin or worm farm.
A keen workmate may want the paper to make into "paper bricks" - which are great for starting your fire.

Set up a recycling system at work. Check the Southland Resource Directory for companies that can collect your paper for recycling.
Confidential paper can be collected for recycling too. Check the Southland Resource Direcotry for companies that offer this service.