Think before you print. Why am I printing this? Is it just an old habit I got from Dad before the digital age? Can I read this document on the screen? If I absolutely have to print a copy, is this the absolute final copy I need to print? Always print on both sides of paper. First time through, choose the 2 sided option. Or put your paper through again. Just remember to put it the right side up.Stop buying notepads. Every piece of paper that lands on your desk is a potential notepad if it is only printed on one side. When you need to dispose of paper, remember to place your used paper in your council recycling bin, or the recycling bin at your office.
Despite the technological development, paper is still a widely used resource. And even though paper is recyclable, Australians send an estimated 1.9 million tonnes of paper to landfill each year. By recycling one tonne of paper, we can save 13 trees. Unfortunately paper can only be recycled a limited number of times – in most cases, up to 8 times. This is because each time the paper is recycled the individual fibres that make up the paper become weaker and weaker.
Most offices have recycle facilities. Make sure you have a recycle bin next to your desk. Also, keep a drawer or box aside to collect your scrap paper, pages that have only been used on one side, to be used at a later date. See Six Steps to Kick-start a Recycling Program at Work.