Waste Paper Reduction

When you take a few small steps to avoid making additional waste, you prevent future problems related to that waste. In addition to reducing the amount of waste we produce, you can also save on replacing resources, like paper and other day-to-day supplies, when you limit how they are utilized.

The University of Connecticut recognizes the impact of a growing campus on our resource use. From replacing paper cups with durable reusable mugs to cutting the amount of copies made in half by promoting double-sided features, there is room for significant improvements in the paper we use, and the resource we utilize.

  

  Related Initiatives & Progress:

  2005-2006 Progress

1. Maintained promotion of double-sided copy via copy machine reminder stickers (see below) and developed a system to identify and label all new copiers:
   
      
       

2. Continued to promote the sale and use of resuable coffee mugs so as to decrease waste paper resulting from coffee sales.  
   Organized an EcoHusky Mug Day in coordination with Dining Services.
                 
3. Evaluated the feasibility of electronic publications, forms, and class materials; provided recogniton for those individuals and departments who have set a goal to go entirely electronic.
      
4. Researched the feasibility of implementing a cross-reference system for mailing lists to minimize unwanted circulations.  University Mail Services was contacted regarding the possibility of developing a cross-reference system and determined that there are multiple databases throughout the various departments and systems on campus.  In order for a recipient to request the discontinuation of a certain mailing, they would have to contact the department of distributor directly. At that time the department could update your profile for mailings.  This would apply to the mass-mailings of Jorgenson newsletters as well, once the database is updated.  In short, in order to reduce your inbox for mail, you have to call each department that is sending these items to you and have them remove your name from the mailing list. There is no central mailing list on campus for all departments. As for dorm and interdepartmental mailings, you would have to contact the Department of Human Resources.
      
5. Assessed the necessity of the student phone directory and evaluated contract renewal.
      
6. Sought to implement a University-wide paper margin default to decrease the number of pages required per document printed.
          

   2004-2005 Progress

• To promote the conversion of paper forms to an electronic format and replace hard copy submittals with electronic filing requirements, the Waste Paper Reduction Team met with UITS to discuss options available which would allow more University wide forms to be submitted electronically. UITS is currently working on a system to authenticate electronic signatures. Once completed, this topic will be revisited.
    

• The Purchasing Department printed its last paper copy of the Husky Buyer in March of 2004. All future issues will be available on-line. This is a savings of $4,064 annually.
        
• Under the new stationery contract with Advanced Printing, 90% of all stationery orders are now processed directly on-line. Between September of 2003 and March of 2004, this contract has allowed the University to recognize a $138,100 cost savings by promoting on-line ordering. Invoices are also being sent as a flat file directly to Accounts Payable for payment, allowing for an almost non-existent paper system.
     
• Fisher Scientific, the University’s Scientific product supplier, has 59% of its orders placed on-line. Training continues in this area, so this number is expected to increase.
      
• The Museum of Natural History & Archaeology Center will now be providing information pertaining to their summer programs on-line.
         
• Under the current contract with Boise Cascade, our contracted office supply vendor, 58% of the office supply orders are placed on line. This number continues to increase as departments are trained how to order on-line.
      

• The copy center at the Library has moved its biggest mediated service to scanning and uses discarded copies for draft printing/scrap paper, thereby reducing their paper usage by 30%.
        

      
      

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Recycling & Waste Reduction Homepage

Page last updated 11/19/08. MNR