Reduce Paper Usage

Missouri S&T is continually seeking methods to reduce its environmental footprint. The campus has made progress on recycling paper, batteries, and aluminum cans. While our efforts have been noteworthy, it is time to look at avenues to increase our recycling and most importantly decrease the use of natural resources. In 2007 this campus purchased over 9.5 million sheets of paper. This translates into over 1,300 sheets of paper for every faculty, staff and student here at Missouri S&T.

Here are some ways you can help reduce our paper consumption:

• Printing Services now offers the option of completing print jobs on recycled paper.
• Reduce line spacing and increase margins on Word documents.
• Do not print e-mail or any other document unless absolutely necessary.
• Purchase post consumer content paper for your department.
• Utilize the UM system procurement contracts for competitively priced recycled paper.
• Encourage the practice of paperless meetings.
• Utilize the duplex feature on your office printer (if so equipped). 
• Finally, place all unwanted paper in the recycle containers.

Also, Missouri S&T is focused on reducing the amount of energy being consumed in 2008 by 6%. To help achieve this energy reduction goal: turn off lights in unoccupied offices, conference rooms and restrooms. Turn off printers, monitors and other unnecessary electronic equipment at the end of each business day. Also, set your office thermostat at a reasonable temperature during normal business hours and adjust accordingly during non-business operating hours.

Finally, Missouri S&T is committed to reducing its solid waste stream through processes which encourage increased recycling. One method is elimination of Styrofoam coffee cups and replacing with reusable ceramic mugs.     

More information concerning the use of recycled paper, energy conservation and the reduction of our solid waste stream will be made available through the Missouri Miner, the Environmental Management System website (ems.mst.edu), and e-Connection in the coming weeks. 

Paper Usage

Objective:Implement a campus-wide paper use reduction awareness campaign

Target:Achieve at least a 40% weight reduction by 12/2008

How can you help:

• Be aware of paper purchases for your department.
• Ask your office supply company to provide a higher post consumer content paper.
• Utilize procurement services for purchases of paper to ensure lowest cost.

Action Items:

• Organize faculty, staff and student awareness promotion team(s)
• Provide a series of awareness orientation information resources and volunteer incentives (signs, posters, stickers, buttons, reduction impact information, etc.)
• Promote green reminder in e-mail signatures/Missouri S&T homepage - "guiding environmental did you know(s)
• Survey campus custodians/recycle bins for evidence of paper use reduction awareness
• Monitor pick up tonnage/cost every 3 months

Action Item Status:

Monitoring & Reducing Energy Usage

Objective:Implement a campus-wide electricity use reduction awareness campaign.

Target:Achieve at least a 6% reduction in electric usage by 12/2008.

How can you help:

• Turn off lights in unoccupied offices, classrooms and bathrooms.
• Turn off computers and printers at the end of each day.
• Close shades or blinds during summer and winter months to reduce solar heat from the sun and to keep offices warmer during the winter.  

Action Items:

• Provide a series of orientation information resources and volunteer incentives.
• Survey campus for evidence of electric reduction awareness.
• Promote "Did you know green facts" on Missouri S&T home web page.
• Monitor electric usage every 6 months.

Action Item Status:

Reduce Solid Waste Generate on Campus

Objective:Implement a campus-wide solid waste reduction.

Target:Achieve at least a 10% cost reduction by 12/2008 through fewer solid waste pick-ups. Also increase the amount of paper being recycled on the campus.

How can you help:

• Reduce
• Reuse
• Recycle
• Recycle all items whenever possible. Do not use printers or copying machines if at all possible.
• Breakdown cardboard boxes for easy pick-up
• Collect packaging material (styrofoam) when receiving a package. This material can be reused.
• Bring a coffee cup from home. Refrain from using paper or styrofoam cups.

Action Items:

• Organize faculty, staff and student awareness promotion teams.
• Provide a series of awareness orientation information resources and volunteer incentives (signs, posters, stickers, buttons and reduction impact information.
• Survey campus custodians/recycle bins for evidence of paper use reduction awareness.
• Monitor pick-up tonnage/cost every 3 months.
• Promote green reminders" in e-mail signatures / Missouri S&T homepage "guiding the environment did you know(s)".

Action Item Status:

: