Go Green implies becoming conscious of and sincerely practicing our environmental responsibilities. The environment has been irrevocably damaged by the human race, but even now we can try to stop further depletion. One of the many ways is going green with paper. This means using as little amount of paper as possible or using friendly versions of paper because the major source of paper is wood pulp which we get from forests that store 50% of the carbon.

The industrialized nations comprising only 20% of the world population consume 87% of the printing and writing paper. Global consumption of paper has increased 20 fold over just one last century tripling itself only in last 30 years! United States alone produces and consumes one third of the world paper which means over 300kg per person per year!

Environmental Paper Network (EPN) reports that 42% of the industrial wood harvest is used to make paper. The paper industry is the 4th largest contributor to green house gas emissions among US manufacturing industries and if the US cut office paper usage by just 10% 1.6 million tons of green house gas would be prevented from emission.

How to go green can be answered by reducing paper consumption, reusing and recycling paper. Reduction in usage can be achieved by avoiding unnecessary shopping of paper and all paper products. Paper napkins/towels can be replaced by the cloth ones. Similarly ceramic mugs can be used instead of paper/plastic cups. Books, journals, magazines can be donated to the needy while at the same time patronizing libraries is also financially beneficial and socially healthy alternative. Another way is to use bio-degradable tree free paper products like cotton, bamboo, etc.

Printing shall also be confined to what is inevitable. Both sides of paper should be used with a smaller font size so that much can be covered using less space, A5 booklet with multiple images on each sheet would help economically and environmentally.

Going virtual is another effective mechanism. This suggests opting for e-communication, e-transaction, e-billing, emailing and even saving data on storage devices than getting hard copy. Similarly in businesses, business analytic software which increases electronic efficiency shall be used. Even note -taking during meetings shall be done either on white board or directly on laptops. Mobile devices can also be depended upon for collaborating and communicating purposes. Centre for Economic and Business Research estimates firms and organizations can save 900 to 2100 million dollars by managing printing.

Reusing involves cutting off extra paper and using them. Paper bags and cardboard boxes can be used over time and again. Likewise file and folders can be reused.

Practicing and promoting recycling by becoming Post-Consumer consumer shall also be encouraged. EPN gives facts that 100% recycled paper uses 44% less energy, produces 38% less greenhouse gas emissions, 50% less water waste, 49% less solid waste and 100% less wood! Since paper accounts to 25% of landfill waste newspaper recycling would save 14% of land space along with reduction of sulfur dioxide. The good part is paper fiber can be recycled up to 8 times!

Thus going green can be practiced by individuals and organizations both serving economic and environmental gains. Besides social responsibility can be fulfilled by joining NGOs working for this end and pressurizing governments to implement laws that guarantee forests protection. Reducing our wants, tree planting and promoting the idea serves the ideal most efficiently.

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