Saving paper at school is a good way to help save the environment. If you can ignite your peers' passion and garner support from faculty and staff, you can make a real impact in reducing waste and conserving natural resources. Here are some paper saving ideas for the “green” student.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Make the most of Computers, Printers and Copiers
Step 1. Use your computer whenever you can
Email your documents and other homework. If you have a laptop, take it to class to take notes instead of using a notepad.
Step 2. Ask teachers to create a blog or website
Teachers can post all homework, lecture notes and handouts on the internet using a blog or website to which all students have access. They can also set up a container or other collection tool where students can present work and homework.
Step 3. Talk to your school about free paper saving software
You can download software that helps save paper by removing space-wasting content, reformatting documents to print more efficiently. Well-reviewed ones include: FinePrint, PrintEco and PrintFriendly.
Step 4. Print double-sided copies
Set the copier to print on both sides of the paper when copying multi-page documents.
Step 5. Reuse the printer paper
Line up the discarded sheets from the printouts so that all blank sides are facing the same direction, punch them out, and put them back into the printer for a second use.
Method 2 of 3: Use paper smarter
Step 1. Ask for donations
Local businesses often have reams of unused paper, which could be sheets with an outdated header, mis-sized envelopes, and old signage. Ask businesses in your neighborhood or at your parent's workplace to donate paper to your school (in many cases, it's tax deductible!).
Step 2. Ask your school to purchase recycled or alternative paper products
In addition to being better for the environment, recycled paper products can also be less expensive. You can also find paper produced not from trees but from other sources, such as hemp, bamboo, banana, kenaf and crushed stone.
Step 3. Promote catalogs online
Ask the administration to give up the paper catalogs of purchasing products and supplies of companies that have websites or catalogs that can be consulted online and to order on the internet. Encourage your own school to eliminate printed promotional materials and put all newsletters and catalogs on the internet.
Step 4. Use notebooks and notepads wisely
You can buy recycled paper notebooks. After that, go one step further in your paper-saving effort and use both sides of the paper. Write smaller (but still large enough to be readable) and avoid leaving a lot of white space on the page.
Don't do stupid things with the card, like passing notes, throwing planes, spitting balls or throwing it in the head of your classmates. These activities are both a waste of paper and a source of trouble
Step 5. Request individual slates
Instead of working out math equations, writing lists of ideas, or doing other classroom activities on paper, students could use small whiteboards with dry-erase pens. Some brands of markers are made from recycled materials and are also refillable.
Step 6. Think about saving outside the classroom
Some paper products are used in the kitchen, canteen and toilet facilities at school, so strategies to reduce paper waste should also consider these areas.
- Make sure your school purchases recycled paper napkins, paper towels, and toilet paper.
- Press for hand dryers instead of paper towels.
- Attach a "These come from the trees" reminder sticker to paper napkins and towel dispensers to help remind people to cut down on unnecessary use.
Method 3 of 3: Create a Recycling Program
Step 1. Get cross engagement
A successful recycling program depends on the support of students, teachers, staff, administrators and janitors. Form a committee made up of people from each of these groups to develop a program that takes into account the needs and addresses everyone's concerns.
Designate one person as a representative for each group so that they can explain the need to recycle to their colleagues and ask for their support. Representatives can also help communicate program developments and changes and be the "contact person" for any questions
Step 2. Secure the paper collection
In some cities, paper is recycled by law and is collected on designated collection days. In other places, you will need to find a landfill or collection service to take your card. You can search online for a local material recovery center or a recycling center and see if they accept the card.
If you can't find a landfill for your card, you may need to consider a paid collection service to transport it away. Find out about the costs in this case, to make sure it is profitable for your school
Step 3. Establish guidelines for the card that is accepted
Depending on how and where you dispose of your recycled paper, you may need to limit or separate what you collect. Some collection centers accept a "single flow", ie a variety of mixed paper types in one collection box; others an "orderly flow" of discharge, which means that you will need to separate the paper by types (there are five of them). Some types may not be accepted by everyone. Find out what and how your collection center accepts and structures the program accordingly.
- Old corrugated cardboard packaging. This type of paper is typically found in boxes and product packaging.
- Mixed paper. This broad category includes things like mail, catalogs, books, telephone directories, and magazines.
- Old newspapers. The name of this category says it all.
- De-inked paper Most of the paper in your school will undoubtedly be of this type, which includes things like envelopes, photocopy paper, and letterhead.
- Card substitutes. This paper is usually made up of factory scraps, so it's unlikely you'll have to worry about it, although there's always a chance it's a part of the paper products your school buys.
Step 4. Choose collection containers
Check if the recycling center in your area is able to provide the collection containers; if not, buy some plastic containers suitable for the purpose. Choose them all the same color or clearly mark them as paper bins so that no one accidentally throws trash into them.
If you need to sort the paper for recycling by types, use labels or images of the type of paper that must be deposited in each container
Step 5. Provide instructions
Not only does everyone need to participate for your program to be successful, but everyone should also be well informed about how it works. Consider asking the science or social studies teacher to dedicate a period of lessons to discussing the guidelines of the recycling program. Or plan to have educational groups to explain the program, including information on what types of paper are accepted and the location of collection bins.
Create a reference card with program information to distribute to everyone at school. Or, to save paper, create a website or page on your school's website that everyone can refer to regarding the program guidelines
Step 6. Choose a central location to store the collected paper
You need a place where you can store the paper between collection in the school and picking up the containers. A good choice can be a copy room or part of a large closet.
Put safety first and don't let large piles of paper block exits or be stored near flammable chemicals. Check with the municipal office that the building complies with all fire regulations
Step 7. Keep your enthusiasm high
Once the recycling program is underway, keep people excited by informing them of its progress and the savings and recycling goals you achieve.
- Create weekly or monthly announcements (through the Public Administration or through your school's CCTV) on the amount of paper that has been recycled by date. Remind everyone of the importance of keeping the schedule and use the opportunity to clear up any confusion and resolve any questions or concerns that have been raised.
- Plan trips to your local collection center or invite guests to come to your school to discuss the value of a recycling program and its positive financial and environmental impact.
Step 8. Go around the obstacles
If your school is reluctant to establish a recycling program, ask if a simple paper waste audit can be done to find out what is being thrown away and by whom. Once you can show your school how much paper waste is produced and thrown away, managers can be more motivated to start recycling.
Advice
- Use the back of each sheet. Try to reduce the use of paper as it involves the felling of trees.
- If you need to buy recycled paper notebooks (sometimes reused white paper isn't), buy paper with the highest percentage of recycled material.
- Don't write on loose pieces of paper to remember things (however you will easily lose them). Write them in your notebook, use the "Sticky Notes" program on your laptop, save a draft of a message on your cell phone, or use a visual cue, such as putting the clock on the "wrong" side.
- Don't use stapled notebooks like school books. After completing more than half of the notebook, you cannot tear a blank sheet of paper without tearing an already written one. Instead, consider using a ring binder or spiral notebook.
