Green Purchasing Paper

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Office paper is an important component of green purchasing. Paper production and consumption have immediate and long-term effects on the environment. It is vital to both reduce paper consumption and purchase environmentally-preferred paper. Click on the links below for more information.

Ohio University' s Environmental Impact due to Paper Use

       Environmental Qualifications for Paper                     Office of Sustainability's Paper
     -Percent of Post-Consumer Recycled Content                           Recommendations
     -Processed Chlorine Free (PCF)
     -Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification

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Environmental Impact from Paper

In 2007, Ohio University spent $239,295.38 on office paper purchased from Office Max. Of this amount, just $479.80 was spent on paper containing 100% post-consumer recycled content. A staggering amount was spent on paper containing no recycled content at all: $210,124.41, or 155 tons.

Ohio University's impact on the environment in terms of paper consumption can be calculated using a tool developed by Environmental Defense. These figures include all paper purchased by Ohio University from Office Max in 2007 except paper containing 100% post-consumer recycled content. The amount of paper Ohio U purchased in 2007 equals 651 tons of wood, equal to 4,505 trees. The energy that was consumed to produce this amount of paper could have powered 80 homes for one year. The greenhouse gases emitted from this amount of paper could power 98 cars for a year.

The savings would be enormous if Ohio University purchased only paper containing 100% post-consumer recycled content. By using this paper, not a single tree would be consumed. Further, the energy saved is equivalent to the energy used by 39 homes powered for a year. Finally, the amount of greenhouse gases saved is the same as taking 42 cars off the road for a year.

In addition to buying paper containing 100% post-consumer recycled content, paper conservation is another factor that can reduce our environmental impact. Double-sided printing is easy and effective: simply turn on the Duplex mode under printing options. Also, be conscious of your printing habits. Remember: the best kind of paper is the paper you do not use.

Environmental impact estimates were made using the Environmental Defense Paper Calculator. For more information visit www.papercalculator.org.

Environmental Qualifications

Percent of Post-Consumer Recycled Content
Some papers contain a percentage of post-consumer recycled content. This means that a percentage of the paper has been used by consumers and recycled into the new paper. When people buy recycled products, a market is created for recycled materials and recycling becomes a more attractive financial option.

Processed Chlorine Free (PCF)
When processing paper, chlorine or a chlorine derivative is often used. This process releases dioxins into the environment, which do not break down. These dioxins inevitably travel up the food chain to fish, birds, and humans; they can cause a variety of concerns in humans, including reproductive, nervous, immune, and endocrine system damage. When paper is bleached through a chlorine-free (PCF) process, environmental hazards and human health risks are avoided.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification
Some companies feature paper which is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. Accredited third parties evaluate companies and award FSC certification based on whether or not the companies practice sustainable forestry.

Office of Sustainability's Recommendations

Because Office Max is Ohio University's preferred vendor, our recommendations are taken from the company's catalog; however, please note that Ohio U purchasers are not bound to purchase solely from Office Max.

We searched the Office Max catalog for copy and multi-use paper brands found in Ohio University's purchasing contract. Our recommendations include both white and colored paper; paper that is three-hole punched; and letter, legal, and tabloid sized paper. Findings are categorized based on the environmental qualifications mentioned above: percent of post-consumer recycled content, PCF, and FSC certified. Our minimum requirement for recommendation is that the paper contain at least 30% post-consumer recycled content. White paper is 20 lb. with 92 brightness unless otherwise noted; colored paper is 20 lb. and 24 lb. Prices as of June 2008. For current prices, visit the Office Max web site. An ID and password are necessary to view Ohio University's prices.

White 8-1/2" x 11":
     -Boise Aspen 100 Multi-Use Paper (P1054922): $3.92/rm
     -Boise Aspen 100 Multi-Use Paper contains 100% post-consumer recycled content
   -See table for details and other choices

White 8-1/2" x 11", 3-Hole Punched:
     -Boise Aspen 100 Multi-Use Paper (P1054922-P): $4.15/rm
     -Boise Aspen 100 Multi-Use Paper contains 100% post-consumer recycled content
     -See table for details

White 8-1/2" x 14":
     -Boise Aspen 100 Multi-Use Paper (P1054924): $5.28/rm
     -Boise Aspen 100 Multi-Use Paper contains 100% post-consumer recycled content
     -See table for details

White 11" x 17":
     -Boise Aspen 100 Multi-Use Paper (P1054925): $8.29/rm
     -Boise Aspen 100 Multi-Use Paper contains 100% post-consumer recycled content
     -See table for details and other choices

Colored (Bright) 8-1/2" x 11":
     -Boise FIREWORX Colored Multi-Use Paper (P1MP-2241): $6.01/rm
     -Boise FIREWORX Colored Multi-Use Paper contains 30% post-consumer recycled content
     -See table for color options

Colored (Pastel) 8-1/2" x 11":
     -Boise FIREWORX Colored Multi-Use Paper (P1MP-2201): $5.01/rm
     -Boise FIREWORX Colored Multi-Use Paper contains 30% post-consumer recycled content
    -See table for color options

Colored (Pastel) 8-1/2" x 11", 3-Hole Punched:
     -Boise FIREWORX Colored Multi-Use Paper (P1MP-2201P): $14.62/rm
     -Boise FIREWORX Colored Multi-Use Paper contains 30% post-consumer recycled content
     -See table for color options

Colored (Pastel) 8-1/2" x 14":
     -Boise FIREWORX Colored Multi-Use Paper (P1MP-2204): $6.77/rm
     -Boise FIREWORX Colored Multi-Use Paper contains 30% post-consumer recycled content
     -See table for color options

Colored (Pastel) 8-1/2" x 17":
     -Boise FIREWORX Colored Multi-Use Paper (P1MP-2207): $9.92/rm
     -Boise FIREWORX Colored Multi-Use Paper contains 30% post-consumer recycled content
    -See table for color options


	Office of Sustainability 1 Riverside Drive Athens, Ohio 45701 Tel: 740.593.0460	Comments and suggestions for improving this page welcomed by e-mail to Sonia Marcus