Use Less Paper

25 April, 2008
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simple ways to reduce your negative impact on the environment

The paper and pulp industry is one of the highest consumers of energy and water. If you reduce the amount of paper you use you will also reduce the amount of garbage that is created as well as the need to make new paper - which in turn means less pollution, less energy use and less trees cut down.

In the office:

  • Try reviewing your work very carefully before printing so you don't have to reprint. Increase the font size on your computer since this will allow you to read documents on screen easier
  • Change your printer settings to double-sided printing
  • Send files electronically as much as possible instead of printing
  • Reuse scrap paper by cutting it into note sized pieces and using the clean side to take messages

In the home:

  • Use kitchen towels and cloth napkins instead of paper towels and paper napkins
  • Read the newspaper (including this one) online if you have the Internet
  • Use regular dishes instead of disposable cups and plates for entertaining. There will be more clean-up time but your guests will appreciate it and you will be doing your part to preserve the environment

Brought to you by:
Greenlight Network - healing our inner and outer environments
21 Lyndon Street, Curepe (645-0016)
greenlightnetwork@gmail.com

Recycle your waste paper

Submitted by Sophia Baboolal on Wed, 30/04/2008 - 20:43.

It is sometimes necessary to use paper, but once the value of the document has been exhausted it can be recycled. Virgin paper production uses more energy than recycling paper. Trees are also saved. Recently my office launched a " Green Initiative" to foster greater environmental awareness among employees. One of the products of this initiative was a paper recycling drive. Ace Recycling collects our shredded used paper every two weeks and takes it away to be recylcled. All other business operations in our corporate compound was also included in this drive. The end result..... we are helping to preserve our planet by just putting our waste paper in a different bin.

Ace Recycling

Submitted by Taran Rampersad on Fri, 02/05/2008 - 08:54.

Does Ace Recycling handle things other than paper? I may be able to nudge some things their way...

Hey Taran, apparently Ace

Submitted by Shivonne on Thu, 08/05/2008 - 11:26.

Hey Taran, apparently Ace only handles paper recycling but you can contact Recycling in Motion at 789-7945 to drop off your plastic stuff.

Paperless office.

Submitted by Taran Rampersad on Mon, 28/04/2008 - 15:47.

A few notes from someone who hasn't been generating paperwork unless absolutely necessary and who also uses renewable energy as much as possible (reinforcing some points):

  • Try to avoid printing - period. The printers sold these days typically use electricity even when turned off. Unplug the printer and only plug it in when necessary. Making it a pain to get to the plug will actually help you avoid printing things without a reason.
  • When someone asks you to fax something, ask them if you can email it instead. A decent digital camera and a steady hand can save a lot of energy - and also allow you to keep records digitally, all in one simple shot.
  • Online internet newspapers have a long way to go in Trinidad and Tobago, but I honestly don't buy paper newspapers. If they can't see fit to make it available on the web in a practical way, then it probably isn't worth reading anyway. Local newspapers need to take this to heart. However, given at present that internet penetration in Trinidad and Tobago is between 12.5% and 15%, this is not as practical for people as it should be.
  • Fig leaves are awesome for entertaining guests. A wonderful tradition that continues in many Hindu ceremonial food gatherings.
  • Do not forget that even computer usage burns electricity. Saving paper does not mean that you're being environmentally sensitive, it means that you are trying.
  • Talk to government offices in Trinidad and Tobago about saving paper. If there is one organization in Trinidad and Tobago that causes the waste of paper, it is the government.