EPA New England: Greening Our Operations

Paper Use

Printing- Minimizing the use of paper from computer printing

Electronic Transmission	Printing	Mail

As a regulatory agency, much of our work requires the use and distribution of paper.  Nevertheless, many opportunities exist for us to minimize the amount of paper that we use, especially for our printing from computers.

To minimize our paper use from computer printing, our Green Team is focusing on two areas: computer equipment and employee education. 

Equipment replacement – using technology to reduce our paper usage
Technologies can help us use less paper: duplex or double-sided printing cuts paper use in half; printing multiple pages on each side further reduces paper use.

In 2003, it became regional policy to purchase only those computer printers with duplexing capability. 

By replacing our older, single-sided printers, we’ve significantly increased our capabilities for duplex printing. 

We periodically produce maps that identify printer locations, and help us ensure everyone has access to a duplex printer. Since February 2003, we’ve been recording the number of images printed at each machine to help us assess usage and make decisions on printer placement.

Employee education – changing our printing practices
Efforts are being made to educate staff about the importance of minimizing paper usage and how this can be done.  We’re using:

• Presentations at office meetings to provide instructions on duplex printing.
• One-on-one technical assistance to instruct employees on duplex printing.
• Signs and labels at printers and copiers to describe their paper saving functions (e.g. duplex printing and scanning to produce electronic versions.
• Intranet-posted instructions for the various programs and printer types.

Staff surveys have been used to document changes in printing practices.  

At home or at work we can all do a better job reducing our paper usage from computer printing.  Use the links below to access information and learn from other efforts around the country.

Steps to Reduce Your Paper Usage, PrintLess Save a Tree Program, University of Delaware

University of Michigan, Green Computing
Practices to reduce paper waste from personal computers

Computer Lab Printing, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
The use of a debit card to encourage students to use duplex printing and reduce paper waste.

Become a Paperless Office, Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance
Lots of tips, a fact sheet, posters about the 3Es for reducing paper usage:  Economical, Environmental and Efficient

Creating a Paper Waste Reduction Campaign, California Integrated Waste Management Board

Cutting Paper, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
Ideas, actions, measurement and other tools – practical information about how to reduce the amount of paper you use.

Regional Snapshot Since 2002, EPA New England has more than doubled the number of printers in our office that are capable of duplex printing.