Old lecture notes and photocopies to get rid of? Don’t just put them in a general waste bin! If they are used on one side only, then re-use them for taking notes, to save buying more paper. If the paper is used on both sides then recycle it so it can be made into new paper products.

According to the WWF, 400 million tonnes of paper is produced globally per year and the pulp and paper manufacturing industry is the fourth largest industrial energy user and a significant emitter of greenhouse gases.

Even if the paper we use comes from sustainable, well-managed plantations, by saving paper we can reduce our carbon footprint.

Here are some tips on how to reduce your paper consumption and help green the SSL:

Use less:

• Use both sides of every piece of paper
• Photocopy double-sided (you’ll also save money)
• Think before you print – only print the pages you need
• Write small

Re-use more:

• Use paper printed on one-side only for notetaking or put it in the Scrap Paper box in the Photocopy Room

Recycle more:

• Put old photocopies and printouts in the Quality Paper bin in the Photocopy Room.  This is made into high quality paper products.
• Put any waste paper and cardboard in the Dry Mixed Recycling bins located around the library – don’t put it in the General Waste bins

Buy recycled or FSC certified products:

• The shorthand notepads we sell are made from recycled paper
• The A4 pads are FSC certified paper