The document discusses the environmental impacts of paper usage at JDHS high school and the benefits of switching to recycled paper. It finds that JDHS uses around 5 tons of paper per month, producing over 50 tons of waste and greenhouse gases. Switching to 50% recycled paper could reduce impacts by half, while 100% recycled paper could eliminate wood use and cut waste and emissions in half. It raises questions about cost differences and improving recycling programs.

1. Recycling Paper Saving the Planet, One Sheet at a Time By Dave Sherman 2007-2008 MAT Candidate

2. Research Questions How much paper does JDHS use? What are the environmental and energy impacts? How would using recycled office paper products reduce these impacts?

3. Methods Speak with procurement staff Determine environmental and energy impacts Investigate recycled office paper options Compare and contrast impacts

4. Office Paper at JDHS

5. At JDHS, we use Approximately 5 tons of paper per month or 45 tons per school year

6. This produces 128 tons of greenhouse gases

7. 858,384 gallons of wastewater

8. And 51 tons of solid waste

9. And consumes 1,726 million BTUs of energy

10. As well as 156 tons of wood

12. A Simple Improvement

13. By using 50% post-consumer recycled office products, JDHS could Cut our wood use in half Reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 23.5 tons Reduce our wastewater by 196,879 gallons Reduce our energy consumption by 376 million BTUs Prevent 12.5 tons of waste from entering our landfill.

14. By using 100% post-consumer recycled office products, JDHS could Eliminate our wood use Reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 42.5 tons Reduce our wastewater by 393,759 gallons Reduce our energy consumption by 752 million BTUs Cut our solid waste in half.

15. Additional Questions What are the cost differences between virgin paper and 50% or 100% post-consumer paper? What would it cost to replace/upgrade printers that currently only print on one side? How effective is the paper recycling program at JDHS?

16. Clean Water Action Council of Northern WI: www.cwac.net/toxic_chemicals/index.html Environmental Defense: http://www.environmentaldefense.org/papercalculator/process.cfm?calcType=1 JDHS procurement staff Technical Association for the Worldwide Pulp, Paper and Converting Industry: http://www.tappi.org/paperu/all_about_paper/earth_answers/Howmuch1.htm Resources