Promoting Sustainability at the

University of Idaho: Reducing Paper

Consumption and Spending
_____________________________________________

Name: Mark Macedo
Address: 101 S. Lilly Street Apt. C5
Moscow, ID 83843

Email: mace0264@vandals.uidaho.edu

Major: Environmental Science

College: Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences

Level in School: Senior

Project Dates: April 1, 2013 April 18, 2013

Graduation Date: December 2014

Academic Advisor: Chris Dixon

Project Advisor: Aaron Schab

Grant Request: $1000

Project Synopsis: The purpose of this project is to evaluate options for reducing paper
consumption on the University of Idahos campus. For this project, I will acquire and analyze
data as it relates to paper consumption patterns as well as research other paper reduction
programs that have shown success in other areas of the country. This grant will be presented
to the University of Idaho Sustainability Center. The proposal will document the possible
reductions in paper cost and environmental impacts. Once I present this proposal, I hope to
see an execution of new policy that will result in reduced economic costs and decrease
environemental impacts.

2

Project Goals and Descriptions: The overall goal of this project is to reduce the University of
Idahos paper use and economic cost. The project will include research I have found that has
proved useful as successful methods of reducing paper consumption that has been
implemented by other groups. If the University accepted this grant, individuals that implement
changes will receive an hourly wage, which will differ depending on experience and level of
education. An example would be changing printer settings across campus to print on both sides
of the page, rather than just one. Only printing on one side of the page is a waste of resources
and money, causing higher economic costs for the University and greater environmental
impacts on forests. In addition, by printing on both sides of the paper students will cut down
the number of pages they normally print in half, resulting in having more free pages from the
University, and possibly reducing costs for students as they will not have to pay an extra fee for
exceeding printing quotas. In addition, recycling all paper products on campus, and purchasing
recycled paper for printers and copiers will advance sustainability on campus. I think many of
the students on Moscows campus would like to utilize resources provided by the University
and possibly save money at the same time. To understand the economics behind this subject I
will collect data on the Universitys annual paper cost.

Project Outcomes: Changing printer operation on the Universitys campus to mandatory
double-sided printing rather than single sided will cut paper costs roughly in half. Using less
paper for printing will result in a decreased demand for printer paper on campus, reduce the
Universitys annual paper costs, and ease environmental impacts associated with the timber
industry. In addition, other sustainable practices can be implemented as well such as
purchasing 100% post consumer recycled paper, increase all paper recycling on University
campus to 100%, and have the University administration manage printer services in order to
limit paper consumption as much as possible. Also, other paper that is old and only printed on
one side should be utilized for scratch paper. This change will show the Universitys
commitment to sustainability and reduce cost for students simultaneously. Short-term effects
of utilizing my proposal will result in printer paper costs cut in half. Long-term effects may
result in a large amount of saving for the University as well as lessening impacts on forests for
paper production. Once my research is complete, I plan to present my findings to fellow
students, faculty, and the University explaining the economic and ecological benefits of my
project. I plan to do so by presenting the information in a cost-benefit analysis utilizing graphs
and other data to support my plan.

Outreach Approach: My proposal would use a number of different outreach methods in order
to raise awareness on campus about decreasing paper consumptive practices. I would also
utilize the sustainability center on campus for increased support. I would implement
permanent signage that would be posted by all printer and copier machines explaining the
Universitys goal of reducing paper use and cost. By implementing signage near the printer and
copier stations it will give students something to read while they wait for papers to print or be
copied. By raising awareness of the issue, we can receive feedback from concerned students
and faculty alike to find the best possible solutions for reducing paper use at the University of
Idaho. It would be ideal to attain as many individuals as possible in order to reduce paper
consumption and generate new sustainable practices related to this topic. The University of
3

Idaho purchases its paper products from Staples. Currently, paper usage per student on
campus is roughly 10 to 20 pounds of paper depending on the student. To produce one ton,
two thousand pounds, of paper it takes roughly 16-18 trees depending on size of course. With
enrollment numbers, increasing each year this creates a growing demand for paper products on
campus, thus the need to reduce paper product consumption and promote more sustainable
practices for the campus. We must work to limit the amount of economic resources used by
the University for the purchase of paper and reduce the overall affect this product has on our
forests and the environment holistically.

Participation and Support: This project would need participation from students, faculty, and
other University staff in order to promote sustainable ideas as well as practices. The University
of Idaho sustainability center would also be a great resource to draw support and participation.
In addition, it is my hope that greater student involvment will result from the permanent
signage around campus, increasing the support of this campus wide issue. There would be a
great need for discussion groups in order to promote ideas, thoughts, and concerns with the
actions I have suggested. In addition, there would be a need from University administration to
push my project idea and turn it into a reality, creating mandatory double-sided printing criteria
and utilizing paper-recycling practices to the best of the Universitys ability in order to promote
sustainability. The funding needed for this project is relatively low around $1000 and will cover
the costs associated with increased recycling practices, double-sided printing, and further
managing students to waste less paper thus gaining economic and environmental benefits as it
relates to this topic. It is my hope this project will inspire another student to pursue a
sustainable practice project on campus in order to continue the University of Idahos role in
sustainability.

Project Administration: My proposal would take an estimated two months for implementation.
The two months will be spent gathering research of programs that have worked at other
universities, gathering student and faculty support, and promoting sustainable practices that
will provide economic and environmental benefits. Once I have gathered the necessary support
the implementation process will be relatively easy and will require monitoring from the
University sustability center. There will be numerous meetings and involvment from the
individuals involved in this project to promote communication from ideas to physical reality.
The first stages involve producing permanent signage on campus that will increase awareness
of the universitys role in reducing paper consumption and cost. This will initially get students
thinking about this project and possible participation. Then it is a matter of the University
administration implementing changes to copy and printing machines in order to cut paper
usage roughly in half to promote economic and ecological considerations on campus. In
addition, individuals will be required to monitor student usage of printing and copy machines in
order to limit overly consumptive practices.

Plan for Future Action: This project will continue to give back to the University for generations
to come and possibly promote new ideas for students in the future on sustainability practices
involving paper useage. Once this project is set in place and the university realizes the benefits
and reduction in paper cost I believe the plan will receive even greater support. I think this
4

could only be the beginning for cutting cost and promoting environmental activism on campus
and the overall goal from the sustainability center. I believe this project will be funded through
the sustainability center in the future. In addition, I think the sustainability center will monitor
this issue in the future and will possibly have students that monitor overly consumptive
practices as it relates to the printing and copying of papers. These students can also help
promote even greater awareness of the topic and answer any questions students many have
about the program or getting involved.

Evaluation: I think the benefits gained from decreased paper costs will grab the Universitys
attention and promote the continued support and progress from this program. In addition, I
believe the sustainability center on campus will continue to promote these paper saving
methods in order to promote and reinforce the Universitys commitment to economic and
environmental sustainability. Future processes monitoring and measuring this plan will be
provided by the sustainability center and the University administration. I think students that
want to get involved in sustainable practices may be the individuals that monitor printing
stations to ensure other students are not being wasteful. It is my hope the sustainability center
will grab the attention of the student body on campus and promote volunteer practices among
students.