Waste Reduction

• Save and reuse office supplies such as binders, folders, and clips. 
  
  
• Encourage reusable dishware at canteens and cafeterias.
  
  
• Conserve paper by using signs in a central location instead of passing out flyers.
  
  
• Create a temporary location for unused office supplies.
  
  
• Where handouts for a meeting are necessary, email them to attendees to reduce the likelihood of excess printouts. 
  
  
• Edit electronically, use projectors rather than handouts.
  
  
• ALWAYS use double-sided printing and copying. 
  
  
• Single-space documents when possible.
  
  
• Share copies of internal publications and documents.
  
  
• Post office announcements on bulletin boards.
  
  
• Reuse or eliminate fax cover sheets.
  
  
• Use reusable or two-way envelopes and mailing pouches.
  
  
• Utilize internal email and web communication tools.
  
  
• Use paperless technology such as a SharePoint meeting workspaces or website, LiveMeeting or video-telephone.
  
  
• Save energy on lights and air conditioning by turning them off when not in use.
  
  
• Use reusable coffee filters.
  
  
• Where appropriate, save paper by setting printer margins to .75.
  
  
• Keep a paper savings tray by every printer so employees can redeposit paper that has text only on one side (ex. non-sensitive fax printouts).
  
  

• If printers have multiple paper trays, reserve one for the reuse of scrap paper that has text on one side.
  
  
• When printing use the “shrink to fit” function where appropriate.
  
  
• Proofread your work carefully before printing.
  
  
• Save toner ink by printing “draft quality prints” which use less ink.
  
  
• Try saving paper by using the reduction feature on your copier.
  
  
• Remove your name from junk mail lists.
  Direct Mail’s — Do Not Mail List
  
  
• Use reusable coffee mugs and lunch boxes.
  
  
• Don’t fill an entire coffee kettle to make one cup.
  
  
• Buy sugar, cream and other supplies in bulk containers, not individually wrapped.
  
  

Did you know . . .

that every day, Maryland homes and businesses throw away 41 million pounds of solid waste? That is enough to make a wall (3’W x 6’W) that would go from Baltimore to Miami nearly 6 times.
Maryland Department of the Environment, 2005

that the average U.S office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper a year? The average American uses approximately one 100-foot-tall Douglas fir tree in paper and wood products per year.
EPA — Wastes - Resource Conservation - Common Wastes & Materials - Paper Recycling (citing Oregon Department of Environmental Quality & Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory)

that the average employee wastes 1.5 lbs of paper each day?
Florida Department of Environmental Protection — Reduce Reuse and Recycle for National Clean Off Your Desk Day