GO! Checklist
Category 3: Paper Reduction
Many people depend heavily on paper to perform their everyday duties but may not be aware of the scale of the resources consumed in producing the paper they use. Four billion trees are cut down every year to make paper. In Hong Kong, around 20% of the commercial and industrial waste disposed of at landfills consists of paper. Organisations are increasingly choosing to disseminate information in digital form, both to reduce costs and to boost information accessibility.
Action
We go electronic and reduce paper consumption whenever possible.
Resources
Waste Management Guidelines (2.1 - Paper Waste)
Action
When unable to avoid printing hard copies, we print in the following environmentally friendly ways:
- prioritising double-sided printing, which is set as the default on our computers;
- using one-sided scrap paper, which is collected and placed near our printers;
- formatting documents to minimise the amount of printing paper required, e.g., use space efficiency layout, reduce paper margins and fit multiple pages per sheet when printing; and
- using a lower printing resolution or Econoprint/Ecoprint Mode to save toner when printing drafts and other documents to be circulated within the office.
Action
We issue newsletters, brochures, handbooks and promotional materials in e-versions to minimise the number of hard copies printed and distributed. Whenever possible, we include a message on hard copies to encourage readers to subscribe to the e-version instead and to circulate the printed matter and recycle it after reading.
Evidence
e.g., Internal Communications
Action
We subscribe to the e-version of different publications and circulate a minimal number of hard copies in the office.
Evidence
e.g., Internal Communcations
Action
We keep track of our office paper usage and set goals on paper usage reduction annually.
1 point each for consumption figure and reduction goal
1 point each for consumption figure and reduction goal
Evidence
e.g., Paper consumption figures and reduction goals.
Action
We have consumed less office paper this year compared with last year.
(Please indicate the amount of paper reduced and % of reduction.)<5%: 1 point; 5–10%: 2 points; 11–15%: 3 points; 16–20%: 4 points; >20%: 5 points
Evidence
e.g., Paper consumption figures of this year and last year with the percentage of reduction and the relevant purchasing order
