Switching to 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Paper

One elementary school

Saves 78 trees

In one year

By switching to 100% post-consumer recycled paper

Based on the approximate paper use of an Elementary School with 590 students. Calculated at www.papercalculator.org

"But doesn’t using 100% post-consumer recycled paper cost more? Our school budget is maxed!”

It’s time we got our priorities straight.

If we want a future for our children, we have to learn to live in a sustainable way. Let’s begin with our schools. Right now, 100% post-consumer recycled paper costs about 20% more than non-recycled paper. That is a lot for a school budget.

But what is the alternative? Cutting down the world’s forests at a non-sustainable rate to educate our children? What kind of future are we handing them?

If every school in the country switched to using 100% post-consumer recycled paper, the price would come down. Way down.

Saving Money Through Recycling & Waste Reduction

-Recycling paper makes money. Recyclers are paying top dollar for paper and
cans these days.

-Reducing garbage saves money in garbage fees.

-Using the unused sides of paper reduces paper use.

Can your school make up for the additional expense of 100% post-consumer recycled paper by reducing paper use, reducing garbage expenses and making money from recycling?

Case Study

Highland Elementary School, Gresham, OR
with 590 students
uses 36 reams of paper per week
x 36 weeks of school per year = 1296 reams/year.

Each ream weighs 5 pounds.

5 pounds x 1296 reams = 6480 pounds of paper used per year

When Highland Elementary School switches from non-recycled paper to using
100% post-consumer recycled paper, in one year the school saves:

Trees: 78
*Energy: 54 million BTUs
**Greenhouse gases: reduces emissions by 6830 pounds of CO2
***Waste Water Saved: 28,351 gallons of water
***Garbage Reduced: by 3741 pounds of garbage
Source: www.papercalculator.org

That’s huge!

What are we waiting for?!

How To Make the Switch

1. How many reams of paper does your school use in a year?

2. Calculate how many pounds of paper your school uses in a year. (Each ream weighs 5 pounds.)

3. Go to www.papercalculator.org and calculate how many trees, energy, green house gases and garbage you’ll save by switching to 100% post-consumer recycled paper.

4. Find the least expensive place in your state or area to purchase 100% post-consumer recycled paper. (In Washington State the least expensive place we’ve found so far is KCDA Purchasing Cooperative • 425-251-8115)

5. Figure out how much more the 100% recycled paper will cost. Are there ways that students and faculty at the school can help offset the costs? A. How much money could be made by recycling? Paper? Cans and bottles from the cafeteria? B. How much money will be saved in garbage costs by recycling? C. Can the school reduce paper use to save money? Is the school reusing paper that has only been used on one side? D. Would interested students, faculty and family be willing to conduct a fundraiser to help offset the additional costs?

6. Would your school like to adopt a paper use policy that requires the school to use 100% post-consumer recycled paper as part of becoming a sustainable school?

Some Examples of Schools Using 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Paper

Illinois High School Switches to using Recycled Paper
Stevenson High School
Lincolnshire, IL

Olympia High School
Olympia, WA

Snohomish High School
Snohomish, WA

Marshall Middle School
Olympia, WA

Ilwaco High School
Ocean Beach, WA

Tahoma School District Department of Teaching & Learning
Maple Valley, WA

Morgan Owings Elementary
Lake Chelan, WA