Why is FNS working on the topic of greener copier paper?
At first glance, paper might seem like a cheap product with limited impact. In reality, however, the impacts of paper are enormous. Paper use is ubiquitous: the average office worker uses 10,000 sheets per year. In 2004, it is estimated that the Federal Government used 109,000 tons of copier paper. By 2008, this amount is projected to increase over 10%. Similar increases in paper consumption are expected to continue through 2020. If federal agencies can reduce paper use, use greener copier paper, and recycle used paper – even by small amounts – this could lead to sizeable benefits. The issue of paper use is relevant to every federal agency, and those that have taken steps to reduce the impacts of their paper use have seen good results. Some agencies have even taken the extra step of tracking the costs associated with their efforts and have determined that the strategies outlined below can save money.
