TO:
All Department Heads
FROM: EcoLogic
DATE: Nov 18, 1996
RE: Greening Initiative
In our
continuing efforts to green the campus, EcoLogic (R.P.I.'s environmental
club) has explored ways to make departments on campus more environmentally
friendly, especially through the purchasing of recycled and environmentally
sensitive products
We have
enclosed information on cost effective, recycled products that are
available through Staples and Alling & Cory. In addition we have
outlined some simple steps your department can take to increase its
environmental friendliness and reduce costs.
If you
are skeptical of recycled paper or products, we would like to share
some information we found in our research.
Myth:
Recycled paper is lower quality and jams copiers. Fact: Groundwood
recycled paper (Unity DP) is made from shorter fibers than other recycled
and non-recycled paper. However, it works excellent in copiers (we
have tested it ourselves, and have talked to other schools that use
it)
Myth:
Recycled paper and recycled products are more expensive. Fact: Groundwood
recycled paper (Unity DP) is actually cheaper. Other recycled paper
is somewhat more expensive. Recycled office products are usually comparably
priced to non-recycled products.
We appreciate
your cooperation in this initiative and we hope that you find the
ideas below useful. If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments,
please contact Steve Trowbridge (x2284, greening@rpi.edu) or Otto
von Wachter (x8911, vonwao@rpi.edu).
Enc.
Greening
Initiative Recommendations
Objective 1: Purchase recycled copier paper
Table 1: Recommended recycled copier paper (Unity DP & Great White)
versus Tidal DP
|
Price
per case |
Recycled
Content |
Recommended
Uses |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| Unity
DP |
$
20.35 |
100%
(50% post consumer) |
Memos,
Class materials (handouts, syllabi, exams), Drafts |
Excellent
for copying and double sided copying
Lowest price
Earth white color |
| Great
White |
$
29.68 |
25%
(xx% post consumer) |
Memos
to the President's Office
Important letters & reports |
Same
appearance and performance as Tidal DP |
Higher
price |
| Tidal
DP |
$
23.20 |
None |
|
No
recycled content |
| Salvaged
Paper |
Free |
Drafts,
Scratch pads |
Free |
One
sided uses only |
* Prices quoted by Alling and Cory, may vary
- Estimate
amounts of Unity DP and Great White based on department needs and
recommended uses on table
- Paper
can be ordered from Alling and Cory, the way most departments now
purchase their paper.
- If
your copier has two or more trays, fill one of them with Unity DP
and one of them with white copy paper (Great White or Tidal)
- Post
included poster next to copier(s) and provide information on where
the different paper is stored.
- Inform
staff of the green purchasing initiative and encourage use of recycled
and salvaged paper.
Objective 2: Reduce and reuse paper
- Set
up a bin next to copier for reusing one sided copies for drafts
and to make scratch pads.
- Make
double sided copies whenever possible. Provide instructions on making
double sided copies on included poster (from copier manual).
- Encourage
email memos instead of paper memos. Set up emailing lists within
department and department groups to facilitate use of email communication
Objective 3: Purchase green office products
Table 2: Recycled products available through Staples
| 1996
Staples Catalog Description |
price |
Greencycle
writing pads p.175
8 1/2 x 11 3/4
50 sheets
50% recycled |
$
24.07 /DZ |
recycled
post-it notes p. 172
various sizes |
No.
10 recycled white envelopes p. 120
100% recycled |
recycled
catalog and clasp envelopes p. 119
100% recycled |
| ecowriter
#2 pencils p. 189 |
$
2.69 /DZ |
Some
criteria for green products: recycled content, durability and reusability,
non- toxic materials (ink, correction fluid, non-rechargeable batteries),
energy consumption (light bulbs), and recyclability.
Although
some "green" products are available through Staples, there are many
more that aren't. If you are interested in sources for other "green"
products, contact the greening coordinator.
Also,
if you discover any other green products that other departments might
be able to use, or if you have any other greening suggestions, please
let us know!
Greening
Initiative Questionnaire
Please complete this questionnaire after your department has implemented
and evaluate this greening initiative.
Are
you purchasing recycled paper, and if so how much (as a percentage
of each total paper) of each type?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Are
you satisfied with the performance of the recycled paper? What aspects
did your department like or dislike of the Unity DP and/or Great White?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Have
you been able to reduce paper consumption, and if so, by how much?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
What
does your department currently recycle (paper, aluminum cans, etc)?
How effective do you think the recycling program is?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
What
other "green" products are you purchasing?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Do you
have any other comments or ideas to further green R.P.I.?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Thank
you for completing this questionnaire. Please return to:
Steve Trowbridge, Greening Coordinator
Recycling Service Building
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