LBCC: Reduce, Recycle and Reuse

Fall term 2014 was the first term LBCC offered free printing. During Fall term 2013 when printing cost 10 cents a page, a total of 102,773 pages were printed campus wide. Fall term 2014 when printing was free 202,275 pages were printed campus wide. That's a 96 percent increase, estimating the use of an additional 12 trees.

The Library staff noticed the increased usage and spent six weeks last term collecting paper from the recycling bins and unclaimed print jobs. Their "winter wonderland" display seen in the display windows of the Library entrance was made entirely from what they collected.

"As important as it is to highlight this, it's not to shame people," said Laura Nagel, librarian. "There is a correlation between it being free and people forgetting [their print job] because they didn't have to pay for it."

Last term the Library was responsible for nearly 50 percent of all printing on campus with an estimated 1,600 pages printed a day. By the end of the term that's enough pages to be lined up all the way to Grants Pass!

Half the paper used in the "winter wonderland" display was left unclaimed in printing areas. One print job left behind was a third of a ream of paper, which can be seen held together by a rubber band in the display.

Staying true to the message to reduce, recycle and reuse, the display was made using as many reusable items as possible such as reusable tacks and sticky adhesives instead of tape. 

In an effort to be more sustainable, the staff at the Library advise students to be more aware of their usage. Students are encouraged to print double-sided with approval from instructors, to select only the pages you want to print from a document, and submit electronically whenever possible. 

"I've thought a lot about when I pick up a paper to write a note, 'Do I really need to write this?,' said Nagel. "Just putting up this display has made me realize my own use and how I can reduce."

Recycling is a global issue. According to the EPA, producing recycled paper causes 74 percent less air pollution and 35 percent less water pollution than making new paper. In the U.S. paper makes up 40 percent of all waste estimating 71.6 million tons. Keep in mind that every page matters when you look at the bigger picture.

Tips to Reduce:

• "Print preview" before printing to make sure it will print as you want it to avoid a reprint.
• Print double-sided with your instructor's approval.
• Submit assignments vis Moodle, Email, Google Drive, or Dropbox when possible.
• Select specific pages of a needed document rather than its entirety.
• Don't forget what you have printed.