Think about how much paper is probably used each day in schools: notebooks, handouts, homework assignments, memos – the list goes on. Schools go through hundreds of pounds of paper a week and don’t always have the best “green” habits. There are many ways to save paper in schools other than shred services and improve your carbon footprint.
In General:
- Program all printers, copiers, and fax machines to print double-sided.
- Use cups, plates, and other paper products that are made from recycled materials.
- Install hand dryers in bathrooms instead of using paper towels.
- Promote recycling, and have bins in classrooms, libraries, and any areas with copiers and/or printers for easy use.
In Classrooms:
- Switch to online learning rather than using textbooks, and give students access to learning materials on computers rather than printing out handouts.
- Email assignments rather than printing them out.
- Encourage teachers and staff to only print materials when it’s absolutely necessary.
- Adjust fonts and margins to make the best use of paper when printing materials. For example: if what you’re printing can reasonably fit on half a page of the paper, rework the margins and fonts so you can print two copies on one sheet of paper.
In Offices/Teacher’s Lounge:
- Send all memos or publications electronically.
- Reuse envelopes for internal use.
- Review and edit documents by using “track change” features rather than printing out and marking up a hard copy.
- Reuse old boxes for storage or packaging for outgoing materials.
Another great way to save paper in schools is by sending all unwanted or fully used paper to Complete Shredding Solutions. We send all the paper we shred to pulping facilities so it can be made into new paper, saving hundreds of trees from being cut down. If you are in need of paper shredding services or other shred services and want to help save our trees, call us at 516-442-1624. We offer document destruction and shredding services for Nassau County, Suffolk County, Long Island, New York, New Jersey, and nationwide.
