33 | Rethinking Paper and Ink: The Sustainable Publishing Revolution
Guide to Responsible Office Practices, Printing, and Paper Use Whether you are a publisher, student, instructor, or staff member, there are many simple things you can do to reduce your paper consumption, make more responsible printing choices, and encourage change in your offices, classes, and departments. Printing » Print only what you really need. » Print on both sides of every page and adjust your print settings to low toner or toner saver mode. » Preview documents before printing to make sure that you’re getting what you want the first time you print. » Make your syllabus available online through a free blog (wordpress.com is just one great option), Blackboard, or Google Docs. » Accept and return student work electronically. You can use Word’s Track Changes tool to make comments and corrections. Adobe Acrobat also has useful markup tools. » Ask a sales representative at your print shop to help you make the best choices when printing presentations, posters, and projects. Tell them that offering 100% recycled paper and recycling toner cartridges is important to you.
Paper » Write a formal paper policy. What’s In Your Paper? and Green Press Initiative both have excellent sample policies on their websites that can be modified to suit the priorities, needs, and constraints unique to your department. » Coordinate with other departments, or through the Business Affairs Office, to purchase paper in bulk. Buying as a psu group will mean better prices and fewer delivery trucks on the road. » Choose to purchase 100% pcw recycled papers for your home and office. The required minimum recycled content for state agencies is 30%, but the benefits of using 100% are impressive.