How to Save Paper and Go Green at School: 3 Easy Tips to Re-Think Paper

Paper is one of the leading causes of waste in our schools, despite all of our recycling activities. The United States uses an incredible 100 million tons of paper product a year, and much of the paper that we put into recycling bins is not making it into the new paper that we're buying, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Since 2011 is the United Nation's International Year of Forests, it's time to re-think the way we use paper in our schools, look into new green school supplies, and help our schools take practical steps to save paper and go green.

These 3 tips will help reduce paper usage at school and tell your staff, teachers, students and parents that your school is working to save our forests.

1.  Use individual whiteboard slates for students at their desks. This enables students to work out math problems, hold up their individual answers, and have scrap paper, without the paper. While this strategy effectively saves paper, uncapping 20+ dry-erase markers can create a toxic soup in a poorly ventilated classroom, not to mention the excessive waste of disposable plastic markers. An ultra low-odor, non-toxic dry-erase marker like AusPen eco-friendly markers will keep noxious fumes out of the room. As an added bonus, AusPen markers are made from recycled materials and are refillable, for a waste-free marker. Look for AusPen markers  at: http://www.ecosmartworld.com

 2.  Look into paper products with recycled content, or alternative products made from non-tree sources. Exciting earth friendly alternatives for paper are hitting the market in a big way, using fiber from plants such as hemp, bamboo, banana and kenaf. There is even paper made from crushed stone. National Geographic's latest Green Guide demystifies the labels, certifications and what to look for in paper products, and gives alternatives to regular paper. The paper buying guide can be found at: http://www.environment.nationalgeographic.com

 3.  Conduct a simple paper waste audit to find out what is being thrown out, and from where. If you know what gives rise to the most paper waste, you can make a plan (with numeric goals) for reducing and recycling, or looking for more sustainable products. Many initiatives can arise from seeing how much paper waste is generated, such as creating a GOOS (good on one side) system for collecting scrap paper, signs for the photocopy room saying ‘Do you really need to print that?', technology such as SMART Boards in the classroom, or programs like an exam booklet swap.

Whether it's through the use of individual whiteboards, alternative paper products or technology, or whether it's by creating programs to reinforce a paper-aware school culture, every step towards reducing the paper trail is a step in the right direction.