How you can save paper

What can I do?

  • Individuals: Save paper at home and at the office
  • Businesses: Buy responsibly-produced paper for my business & make my pulp/paper business more sustainable
     

Why save paper? 

Paper usage in many parts of the word is on the rise. Expanding production and pulp wood harvesting threatens some of the last remaining natural forests and the people and wildlife that depend on them.

The world´s paper hunger also significantly contributes to climate change.
1
Reuse paper. This means not simply throwing it into the recycling bin (although do this when it can't be reused again!). Think of the many ways that you can put the paper to further good use.

  1. 2
    Use the back of paper. Whether it is note paper, printer paper, pad paper, book paper, etc., write on the back of used pieces so that you make the most of it. Many people like to make notepads from such paper, to give it a second lease of life.
3
Reuse wrapping paper. Take care when unwrapping gifts (it keeps the suspense when doing this!). Pull off sticky tape carefully and fold the used paper for use again. You can iron gift paper under a thin towel if needed.

4
Write small. This can help you to use less paper when you're writing at school, unit or work.

5
Reuse paper bags. These can have many uses, such as for lunch bags (use again and again), storing loose items, carrying things around in.

6
Make new paper from old. Find a good how-to on making paper using existing paper and experiment. You should be able to do this many times. Hand-made paper may not be of printable quality, but it is great for art projects and birthday cards.

7
Prefer recycled paper. Buy paper that has already been recycled in preference to virgin paper products.

8
Look for treeless paper. Yes, it exists. In fact, paper wasn't made from wood until the 1800s! Cotton paper (which is what money is made of) is more expensive, but it is higher quality and better for the forests than regular paper. You may also be able to find paper made from sugarcane, stone, hemp, or bamboo.

9
Take advantage of technology. Paper is on its way out. Memo pads are now obsolete thanks to phones, and some teachers allow students to bring thumb drives to school instead of paper. Send an eCard instead of a paper card, purchase tickets online/on your phone, and buy an e-book reader. Many e-book readers like the Kindle have an e-ink screen, which doesn't have the "glow" of an iPad.


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