Challenge #27: Print on both sides

Print on both sides of the paper.

“The potential to save money, paper, and trees is enormous.”

-Diane Stean

Hey, guys!

This week we’ll take a look at some facts about paper production, paper consumption, and ways how to save on paper. We hope you’ll be more than glad to take on this week’s challenge once you go through this article.

Facts about paper

We’ve prepared some shocking and concerning facts about paper production and consumption.

• There are over 300 million tons of paper produced around the world each year.
• The US uses around 68 million trees each year for paper and paper products.
• Average American uses over 300 kg of paper each year.
• The US consumes more than 30 % of the world’s paper.

• Paper represents 16 % (26 million tons) of all landfill solid waste in the US.
• Over 45 % of paper printed in offices ends up trashed by the end of the day; that adds up to over a trillion sheets of paper per year, worldwide.
• The pulp and paper industry is the fifth largest energy consumer – they are responsible for over 4 % of all world energy consumption.
• Paper consumption has risen by 400 % in last 40 years.

“We have not inherited the earth from our fathers, we are borrowing it from our children.”

-Lester R. Brown

• The paper industry uses the most water to produce a ton of product.
• Pulp and paper industry releases over 100 million kilograms of toxic pollution each year in the US and Canada alone.
• Pulp and paper production is the third largest industrial polluter to air, water, and land in both the US and Canada.
• 35 % of harvested trees are used for paper manufacture. For more facts about deforestation click here.

What can we do to reduce paper consumption when printing?

Well, we can start with this week’s challenge. Making sure we print on both sides of the paper is a really small step forward and a super easy thing to do. By making such an easy adjustment to your printing habits, you immediately save 50 % of the paper you use for printing.

Today there are many printers available at a reasonable price that have an automated duplex printing function which makes printing on both sides of the paper as simple as one-sided printing. So, if you are in the process of buying a new printer, we do recommend you to get one with automated duplex printing option. Here are our top two choices: Canon PIXMA series for home use and Epson Workforce if you’re looking for something more serious.

If you own a printer that doesn’t allow automated duplex printing you’ll have to make and an additional “paper flip” which isn’t all that hard either. All you have to do is figure out on which side of the paper (when in a tray) your printer prints on. In case you run into any difficulties with double-sided printing, just use the internet to find additional instructions. Simply type into google search box How to print on both sides of the paper using “your printer” in “the program you’re printing from”.

Additional actions

Of course, there are other simple things you should do when it comes to paper sheets consumption. As first, you should always keep in mind not to print out documents unless it is really necessary. Also, get used to reading documents from your machines (smartphones, laptops, smart TVs, …). Screens nowadays are safe enough and won’t hurt your eyes as much as the old ones did.

If you want to make digital reading easier and even safer for your eyes you should consider buying Kindle. It makes digital reading exactly the same as a hard-copy reading. Moreover, there are most of the new books available in Kindle versions. This sure is a step in the right direction when it comes to paper saving.

Moreover, this is something the school system should consider. Kids will love it. It would also teach them to use electronic devices for other than games and social media. Hard copies are outdated and bad for the environment.

We should all do our best to use all of the resources and technology available to reduce paper consumption as much as possible. Make sure to do your part. 😉

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”

-Robert Swan

Recycle!

Since there is no way for us to completely stop using paper we must do our best to recycle the one we do use. Do the best you possibly can to recycle. Do it at home and in the office. Do it always and everywhere.

Take-home points:

• think before you print;

• use both sides of the paper;

• use printers that allow automated duplex printing;

• use Kindle for reading digital files;

• recycle.

Have a great duplex-printing week. 🙂 Save as much paper as you can.

With love and care,

Good Earthlings