Copy Paper
SNAPSHOT
Who: Public Safety
What: Paper efficiency
Why: Protect forests and
reduce waste
ACTIONS
BENEFITS
MANDATE
In 2009, AU's Office of Public Safety mandated the use
of processed-chlorine free, 100% post consumer waste
(PCW) recycled content copy paper, along with
mandatory double-sided printing.
SOCIAL
According to the Responsible Purchasing Trends survey,
93% of respondents said recycled content is important or
very important in purchasing decisions. And copy paper
was the number one product for which environmental
attributes are considered during purchasing. By focusing
on paper consumption, Public Safety is setting a highly
visible example for staff and students alike, on an issue
that people feel is important.
When: Fall 2009
RESOURCES
Paper: Item 620014 in the
Staples catalog.
Price: $44.80/carton
GREEN CRED
LEED: O+M MR CR1 & 2
STARS: OP CR12
FSC certified: 100% post
consumer waste recycled
content.
BUY LESS
Double sided printing reduces paper consumption by an
estimated 45%. The office directed employees to select
double-sided when printing. In addition to double-sided
printing, the office converted most of their paper forms
to electronic forms, including parking permit
applications, vacation requests, money requests, bureau
directives, and timesheets. They also implemented a
shared network drive where electronic files are easily
available, which they expect to reduce the need for paper
files.
BUY BETTER
Public Safety uses AU's office supplies contract to
purchase FSC Certified, Staples brand 100% Recycled
Copy Paper.
BREAK BARRIERS
The new paper is 20lb, whereas the office had been
using 24 lb paper. The lighter paper increased the
frequency of printer jams. Also, the existing printers did
not have default settings for duplex printing. To address
both problems, the office purchased one new, default
duplex-capable, ENERGY STAR rated printer to replace
two older printers. The new printers reduced service
calls by 84% in six months.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Using the Environmental Defense Fund's Paper
Calculator, based on the use of 500 reams of paper per
year, Public Safety estimates the following savings from
switching from virgin to 100% PCW copy paper:
 22 tons of wood
 71 million BTUs of energy
 18,181 lbs of greenhouse gas emissions
 81,455 gallons of wastewater
 5,505 pounds of solid waste.
ECONOMIC
Through their paper efficiency and reduction strategies,
Public Safety reduced paper costs by an impressive
65%. Because they now use just one ENERGY STAR
printer instead of two less efficient models, they are also
saving money on equipment, electricity, and printer
maintenance.
Far Left
Energy Star rated
duplexing printer.
Near Left
FSC Certified, Staples
Brand 100% Recycled
copy paper.
American University, Office of Sustainability, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington D.C., 20016-8033 • 202-855-3757 (ph) • sustainability@american.edu • twitter.com/GreenAU
This case study is available online at www.american.edu/sustainability