Offices operate using paper and tons of it. In fact a single office worker in the U.S. uses as much as 10,000 sheets of this wholesale office supplies annually (E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory). Needless to say, a few simple changes can reduce paper waste in offices.

It only needs self-discipline, determination to follow office policy to achieve a practical goal. When everybody has this mindset, whatever policies the office want implemented will succeed. Cutting on paper waste helps defray expenditures while also assists the environment cope with the burgeoning waste. The number one consideration is never print at all, but this is not possible, so (1) print only when necessary, (2) encourage duplex printing, (3) refrain from sending mails, (4) use the magnetic whiteboard extensively, (5)make use of computer technology to store datum and (6) practice recycling.

Print only when necessary : Just to procure a hard copy often results in a lot of paper waste. Employees most of the time never need hard copies. They are just accustomed to the traditional manner and are wary with modern computer technology.

: Just to procure a hard copy often results in a lot of paper waste. Employees most of the time never need hard copies. They are just accustomed to the traditional manner and are wary with modern computer technology. Encourage duplex printing : When there is really a need to print documents use both sides of the paper. It will serve paper use by 50%.

: When there is really a need to print documents use both sides of the paper. It will serve paper use by 50%. Refrain from sending mails: Send instead e-mails. This saves paper. Do the same to incoming e-mails. Read it on the computer, but never print. The messages stay secure on your computer unless you delete it.

Use the magnetic whiteboard extensively : When doing exploratory work, using paper is not a good idea. Do all preliminaries on the office magnetic whiteboard. Any misstep in the work can be erased successfully. Print only when the final version is completed.

: When doing exploratory work, using paper is not a good idea. Do all preliminaries on the office magnetic whiteboard. Any misstep in the work can be erased successfully. Print only when the final version is completed. Make use of computer technology to store datum : Computer technology has given modern offices the edge because it has data storage capacity. Instead of printing hard copies for back-up, burn at least CD’s or DVD’s. It is much easier to store CD’s and DVD’s as back-up, easy as well to carry along during emergencies.

: Computer technology has given modern offices the edge because it has data storage capacity. Instead of printing hard copies for back-up, burn at least CD’s or DVD’s. It is much easier to store CD’s and DVD’s as back-up, easy as well to carry along during emergencies. Practice recycling: It is the best option to recycle used paper in the office. Or use recycled paper since it is much cheaper. If everybody observes sound paper use practices and recycles paper, waste shall be reduced significantly.

Do you know that recycled paper comprise only 36% of the U.S. domestic paper supplies? Even at this present contribution to the environment is doubly benefited. So if recycling is maintained or increased, fewer numbers of trees can be felled annually, in turn depleting only a little of our needed forest cover. Remember that trees are carbon sinks, the depletion of forest cover means more CO2 will enter the atmosphere. This results in further aggravation of the ozone layer and global warming.

Do you also know that trees are the major source of pulp for the manufacture of paper? Although trees are sustainable, it will take 20 to 30 years for it to mature. Plus, the manufacture of paper uses chemicals that could harm our rivers and waterways. That is aside from CO2 (carbon dioxide) that is pumped into the atmosphere during the process of manufacture.

There are lots of tips on how to save paper in your office. What is detailed herein is just part of the many effective solutions.