New: The Paper Steps - On Campus

The RePaper Project, a project of the Environmental Paper Network, released a new resource today entitled Paper Steps on Campus: 9 Steps to Protecting the Climate and Reducing Waste through Campus Paper Policies.

The guide, compiled in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation and Recycling Organizations of North America, is an essential resource for colleges and universities instituting sustainability initiatives on campus. Far beyond simple paper recycling advice, it is a comprehensive tool for campuses committed to pushing their climate and sustainability practices to the next level.

“Even if your campus has sustainability measures in place,” commented Pam Blackledge, RePaper Project Coordinator and one of the authors of the guide, “implementing one or more of the nine steps outlined in this guide will help you maximize your commitment to the environment. Updating paper policies using this guide offers a huge opportunity to cut costs, cut waste, and cut your campus carbon footprint.”

The collegiate community has been a leader in sustainability programs. When it comes to recovering paper for recycling, however, we need to improve. According to a National Wildlife Federation report, 40-50% of the solid waste stream from campuses is paper. Much of the paper being used on campus is typically white, office grade paper. Therefore, campuses are well poised to make a significant impact not only on how that paper is disposed, but how it is made, purchased and sourced.

According to Jack DeBell, one of the founders of Recycling Organizations of North America and director of CU Recycling in Boulder, “Campuses are positioned to make a dramatic impact on recycling. To receive maximum environmental benefit, high-grade paper from our campuses should follow a unique recycling path so that it can re-enter the market as high-quality recycled office paper.”

"Many colleges in the U.S. have sprawling campuses and transportation systems, which leads to large carbon footprints that endanger the health of our environment,” said Kristy Jones, Senior Manager of National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Climate Education and Action. “However, many schools are proving to their communities that sustainability is not merely possible--going green can save the campuses money. The Paper Steps on Campus guide will help campuses continue these successes by increasing efficiency of paper usage."

Paper Steps on Campus creates yet another opportunity for the collegiate community to be a leader in sustainability. Implementing environmental paper policies will not only improve a campus’s carbon footprint and reduce waste, but will also, through ethical procurement policies, support businesses developing innovative marketplace solutions necessary for the low-carbon economy 21st century.

To download Paper Steps on Campus, please follow this link:
http://www.environmentalpaper.org/repaperprojectforms/campusguidepaper.html.

To find out more information about the RePaper Project, visit www.repaperproject.org.