Back to school season means a few different things—the return of early mornings, growing piles of homework, and, of course, paper. From textbooks to document printing, paper is a prominent feature of the learning environment, even in our digital world. However, paper can also harm our planet. As well as contributing to landfills and deforestation, paper manufacturing also places enormous pressure on our water resources (it takes 10 liters of water to make a single A4 piece of paper!) and can contribute to the creation of greenhouse gases.
Here’s how to make a difference:
Reduce
This school year, consider purchasing the textbooks you or your family members need second-hand. Alternatively, you could borrow books from the library, purchase digital copies, or share with friends. It’s also a good idea to think before you print, and ask yourself whether you can share the information via email or a cloud sharing service rather than with a hard copy.
Recycle
Paper accounts for about 40% of all waste in the United States, adding up to approximately 71.6 million tons per year. Although paper can be easily recycled, a large portion of this still ends up in landfills. You can make a difference by simply recycling the paper products you use, including the 100% recyclable paper and boxes that house all our fragrances, like September favorite CLEAN CLASSIC Fresh Linens.
Choose FSC-Certified Paper
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an organization that promotes sustainable forest management, a practice that can be defined as protecting natural habitats, preventing pollution, planting more trees than have been harvested, and avoiding displacing native peoples. We're proud to say the paper and boxes we use in our packaging are FSC-certified so you know they've been sourced in an environmentally friendly and socially conscious way.
Use Your Voice
When it comes time to vote, let your elected officials know that sustainable forest management is a priority for you. You can also spread the word in other ways, like setting up a second-hand textbook service in your school community, asking your college to make digital documents an option, or advocating for the use of FSC-certified paper in your office.
