Recycling

WASTE PREVENTION TIPS

• Bring a reusable or thermal plastic mug with you on campus for those trips to individual coffee makers in break areas. (Paper or polystyrene foam cups can really add up during a semester.)
• Copy articles double-sided when possible and request double-sided printing at copy centers.
• In libraries, only make copies of materials that you really need, and use machines properly to avoid misprints (this saves you money too).
• Think about whether you need to make copies at all. Can you check out the book or journal instead of copying the article or section you want? Do you need to make so many flyers to hang around campus? Post your information on a Web Page or e-mail it instead.

• Use the Print Preview function to look at documents before printing, use the spell check and edit on the screen.
• Print single-spaced for drafts and save the required double spaced copies for the final version only (Print Preview can tell you if you are within the page limits).
• Take some of the printing paper that's been printed on one side, and re-use it for taking notes or as scrap paper instead of using new paper.
• If you print it, pick it up! People often send printed documents to the network printers, and fail to pick them up. A real waste of paper.
• Save files and e-mail messages electronically, and don't print out a hard copy of everything.

• Store information on disks rather than on hard copy. (This saves space in your filing cabinets too!)
• Route items around the office or post them on a bulletin board for everyone to see, instead of making separate copies for each person.
• Use both sides of the paper before recycling it. Set printers and copiers to default to double sided-printing or copying. Fill an extra paper tray with paper that has already been printed on one side to use in printing draft documents. Use scrap paper for taking messages or writing notes before recycling it.
• If you MUST use paper, choose paper that can be recycled and paper that is made from recycled content.
• Before discarding any office supplies, check around and see if anyone else could use them. Establish a mini waste exchange in your office using a storage closet or cabinet. Let others know that they should check the waste exchange for office supplies before buying new supplies.
• Use e-mail instead of paper for sending messages. Resist the temptation to print out hard copies of e-mail messages.
• Reuse Campus Mail envelopes if you need to distribute information on campus. (For large mailings, obtain envelopes from nearby offices rather than buying brand new ones).
• Provide re-usable coffee mugs for visitors. Use mugs and silverware instead of disposable cups and plastic/wood stirrers. Purchase sugar and creamer in bulk, rather than individually wrapped portions.
• Toner cartridges from laser printers and print cartridges from fax machines can be refilled and reconditioned. Check with our IT Department for further details.
• Avoid "Junk Mail" by notifying companies that send you unwanted mail. Ask companies that you do business with to NOT sell or trade your name.