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SUCCESS STORY: Paper Reduction

paper stack   The average office employee uses 10,000 sheets of paper per year, according to the Environmental Defense Fund.  This paper taxes our current ecosystems as well as carries a great economic cost. 


 That means each office employee, per year, uses:

  • 184 lbs of wood

  • 975 barrels of oil (energy equivalent)

  • 1,200 gallons of water

  • $60 in average paper purchases and $3,600 in total paper use costs, which include purchasing, printing, mailing, and disposal.



Best Practices for Effective Office Paper Reduction

  • Organize a Waste Reduction Team.  By having a group of employees collaborate, different needs and solutions will arise.  Ideally, the team consists of a representative from each division or section of the company.  This way each area of the company has a contact person with whom to discuss ideas and issues.  This collaborative approach also encourages collaboration and creative thinking.  Identify people on your team to track paper usage and purchasing.  We have created a helpful brochure to get you started.

  • Create a Waste Reduction Goal.  Measure your current paper use.  Identify the amount, types, and sizes of paper you currently use.  Identify key types of paper to reduce.  This sample spreadsheet can serve as a template to get you started.  There are also tips on how to use the template.

  •  Employee Education.  With your Waste Reduction Team, create an action plan.  Review tips and other internet sources to create a list of five areas of priority.  See a list of tips to get you started.  Then educate your employees through a variety of ways, including:

    • Routine E-mail updates to make staff aware of the paper reduction goal and the progress being made towards it.

    • Post reminders and signs by copiers that encourage employees to reduce their waste.

    • Publicize the members of the Paper Reduction Team.

    • Create a checklist of paper protocols and computer defaults for employees to go through if they receive a new computer.

    • Have a ‘Demo Day’ where staff can learn about different features on the printer and how to set defaults on their computer.

    • Analyze Paper Purchasing and Recycling Practices.  With your Paper Reduction Team in tact, it is a good time to reassess your purchasing and disposal practices.

    • Consider buying recycled content paper.  This paper is made to equal standards as virgin paper and ‘closes the loop’ on recycling.  Currently, it is the state of Wisconsin’s standard to purchase 30% post-consumer recycled paper.

    • Reassess your current recycling program.  Educate employees about the types of paper that can be recycled.  Make sure that recycling containers are large enough and convenient enough for employees.  They should also be accompanied by a ‘Second Chance’ paper collection receptacle for paper that has only been used on one side.

  • Employee Recognition and Appreciation.  Celebrate your successes through employee recognition and appreciation events.  Also, make sure your customers are aware of the great work that you are doing!


Other Resources

www.seattle.gov/papercuts – This program is from Seattle and has many great tips.
www.reduce.org – This program is from Minnesota and has a great video and other resources.
www.edf.org – This page has creative signs to post to remind employees to duplex their printing.