Paper & WRAPP

Paper

Poster: Think! Do you really need a paper copy?
See a full list and description of office materials covered by WRAPP.

About 600,000 tonnes of paper and cardboard are sent to landfill in NSW each year. Paper makes up 13% by weight of commercial waste sent to landfill from the Sydney Metropolitan Area. Figures in previous WRAPP reports suggest government agencies disposed of more than 20,000 tonnes of paper to landfill. The WRAPP aims to increase the amount of paper being recycled.

The NSW Government also spent over $12 million on paper and stationery in 1999. Currently, a lot of this paper does not contain recycled content. The WRAPP aims to significantly increase the amount of recycled content paper bought by government agencies.

Improved waste management and paper manufacturing processes have resulted in increasing amounts of recycled content paper becoming available. The paper is much better than earlier types of recycled content paper which had a reputation for damaging office equipment. Recycled content papers are now available which perform as well as virgin paper. A large amount of information on recycled content papers is available.

The WRAPP gets government agencies to focus on four categories of office paper:

A3 and A4 pre-cut office paper
Major stationery items
Printing paper for publications
Packaging.

Buy

Identify opportunities to substitute virgin paper with a recycled content alternative eg. stationery products, general office printing and photocopier paper.
Test recycled content paper products in different machines for a set period and then review the paper’s performance.
Ask suppliers about which recycled content paper products they stock.
Change your paper supply contract to require supply of recycled content paper where possible.
Limit the variety of stationery lines available and use recycled content products where available.
Investigate options to use e-business systems to avoid paper consumption.
Discuss with suppliers the possibility of reducing or reusing surplus packaging.

More about buying the WRAPP way >>

Use

Reuse writing, photocopy and computer paper for staff note pads.
Improve filing and document management systems, especially where drafts need to be reviewed several times and chronological copies need to be kept. Keep hard copies in a central file.
Set up central paper banks for collecting paper printed only on one side for reusing.
Review draft documents on the screen using editing functions on your word processor. Exchange drafts electronically.
Print more words per page.
Use internet publishing, and electronic forms to reduce paper copies (including letterhead). Intranets (web sites accessible by employees only) can be established to review and comment on major documents.
Use double-sided printing for memos, letters and other documents.
Learn how to use paper-saving printer options on your word processor, printer and photocopier such as duplex or ‘two-up’ printing.
Use overhead projectors and whiteboards in meetings and limit handouts.
Reuse envelopes for internal mail.
Scan incoming correspondence and store electronically and recycle original (can’t be done if originals need to be kept).
Avoid direct marketing lists and cancel unwanted subscriptions.
Circulate documents, periodicals and reports rather than making individual copies.

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Recover

Do occasional rapid visual surveys of office waste and recycling bins to check for problems eg. recyclable paper in waste bins or non-recyclable waste in the recycling bins. Use survey results to focus waste education messages.
Audit quantities of paper used and disposed of by different offices.
Collect data on the quantities and types of waste being generated in your office to monitor the effectiveness of waste management initiatives. This is often simpler than you think.
Ensure cleaners know how your office waste and recycling systems work and are actively supporting these.
Check with building management what local recycling services are available.
Position recycling bins near photocopiers, printers and other places where waste paper is generated.
Install small desk recycling bins for paper printed on one side which can be reused.
Separate white paper from other paper colours and types (eg cardboard) where possible.
Run staff education programs on how office waste management and recycling system work. Include this program in staff induction programs.
Find alternative uses for shredded paper if no recycling services are available eg. donate to local childcare centres, animal bedding at local zoos or wildlife centres, compost or mulch paper.
Tell suppliers to provide products in minimal packaging or take back used packaging (especially computer boxes).
Have supplies delivered in reusable crates which are taken back by the supplier.

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Remake

Bind sheets of paper printed on one side into notepads (old or outdated letter head is excellent for pads).
Print up message pads using paper printed on one side.
Put stickers over addresses on envelopes and file tabs so they can be used again.

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