Reducing paper

Cost: FREE!

While the so-called "paperless office" has never materialized, we do need to be conscious of paper usage. Surprisingly the use of e-mail in an organization causes an average 40 percent increase in paper consumption.

Use double sided printing as much as possible to reduce paper usage.  When printing out notes for short-term use -- use the back of other "waste" paper. You can keep a stack of paper that only has printing on one side near your printer so you can hand feed a sheet at a time as needed.

Set your printer for draft quality for all but the most essential presentation quality needs. This also reduces the usage of expensive toner and ink.

Set up on-line bill payment or automatic recurring payments with your utility, phone and mortgage companies etc. and ask them not to send paper bills in the mail. This will also reduce the junk mail that these folks send or include in the envelope with your bill.

Re-use cardboard boxes and packing materials. Save packing peanuts and bubble wrap in a garbage bag and return them to the nearest retail shipping store for re-use. While cardboard is eminently recyclable, it is also great kindling for wood stoves when cut into small pieces.