Save Paper n' Trees At Home & Office

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How to save paper and trees @ home & office

Remember how excited we were when offices were computerised and the idea of a 'paperless office' was considered fashionable? Alas! Instead of decreasing the amount of paper that businesses handle, technology has made it easier to create more paper trails than ever before.

No longer do you have to painstakingly write... just print, print and print!

Whether we realise it or not, paper plays a very important role in our lives. We come across it every day numerous times. It's almost omnipresent. The newspaper, cereal box, the shopping bag, the tissue, the toilet paper, books, magazines, labels, it's everywhere.

When paper is such an intense part of our lives and we know trees need to be cut down to make it, why not be a little more judicious before we hit the print key?

Making a difference

There are people who are doing their bit to save paper in their own small ways. 'We lived abroad for over 3 years and we would read our Indian newspapers online,' says Geetha Balasubramanian. 'Now it's become a habit. When we moved back to India in 2007, we continued reading the epaper version,' she adds.

 

Epapers is something we can easily take up. In most cases we just flip through the paper and read just about two articles before putting it away. Why not do that over the net?

Then there is Gunjan Verma who keeps all the wrapping paper from the gifts her children get. 'It sounds miserly but I really did it to save paper. If it's good and reusable why throw it away?' she asks. What's more Gunjan's daughters made a sturdy paper bag for her shopping with all the junk mail they got in their letterbox. 'If we have to teach our children about how to conserve resources we have to get involved now,' she believes.

 

Here are some tips that can help you be a conscious citizen and save paper.

In the office:

* Print only when it is absolutely necessary. And promote a 'think before you print' attitude.
* Set computer defaults to print double-sided.
* Proof read documents on screen before printing. You don't want to reprint pages because of errors that could have been avoided.
* Print addresses directly on envelopes and avoid using labels.
* Fill copier trays correctly to avoid paper jams.
* While buying paper or diaries, stick to recycled paper with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content.
* Opt for uncoloured paper and buy in bulk to reduce packaging.
* Encourage reusing paper that has been printed only on one side.
* Trim mailing lists used to send information to your customers to avoid unwanted and duplicate mailing.
* Change the paper cups in the pantry with ceramic stuff that can be washed and put back on the shelf.
* Use the fastest and paperless way to mail documents -- email.
* Reuse cardboard shipping boxes. Shipping boxes can be reused many times.
* Send wastepaper for recycling.

 

At home:

* If you can, stop buying the newspaper and read the epaper instead.
* Get your name off mailing lists that send you promotions you don't care about.
* Opt for e-bil options with your phone, electrictity service providers.
* Get washable cloth towels for the kitchen and cut down on paper towel usage.
* Teach children not to tear paper from notebooks to make airplanes.
* If you enjoy reading, join a library rather than buying books.
* Make the kabadiwala a friend and give wastepaper for recycling.
* Switch to recycled toilet paper.
* Don't accept promotional fliers as they are going to go straight into the bin.