Simple tips to help you reduce the amount of paper you use — and keep our forests standing.
Discover more tips to help you live sustainably:
Digitize your communications
Use an e-signature company like Docusign or scan and email documents, to avoid unnecessary printing. Submitting expenses? See if your program accepts screenshots or an app where you can upload images from your phone.
Use eco-friendly paper
Opt for recycled paper; tree-free, pulp-based paper; or even banana paper. It’s an easy way to promote your company’s green values. Or go digital: Use QR codes when they’re available.
Read the label — carefully
“Sustainable” isn’t a regulated term. But some labels carry real standards behind them. When buying paper or wood products, look for certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which signals that forests are managed to protect biodiversity, water and the rights of local communities. No label is perfect. But credible third-party certifications are better than vague claims like “eco-friendly” or “all natural.”
Relaunch your lunch
The next time you pack your school lunch, opt for a reusable bag rather than paper. And instead of a plastic sandwich bag, try wax paper or a reusable sandwich bag. You'll save some trees and reduce your plastic waste.
Keep a hanky handy
Avoid using disposable napkins and tissues — pack a washable napkin or handkerchief instead. You'll reduce your paper consumption (not to mention your single-use waste production) and shrink your carbon footprint as a result.
Print smarter
When printing documents, opt for double-sided instead of single. It's an easy way to halve your paper consumption. At work, ask IT to make that the default option and ask your office manager to stock the printer with recycled, FSC-certified paper.
Rethink your wrapping paper
This holiday season, opt for recyclable wrapping paper — steer clear of glitter, foil and glossy coatings, which can’t be processed. Even better, try alternatives like butcher paper or newspaper — or skip single-use paper entirely by wrapping your gifts in reusable boxes or bags.
Replace paper towels with reusables
Paper towels are designed for seconds of use — then they’re gone. Most can’t be recycled once soiled, and billions of pounds of disposable paper end up in landfills each year. Instead, switch to reusable options: cotton kitchen cloths, linen napkins or Swedish-style dishcloths made from cellulose and cotton. They’re absorbent, washable and built to last for months — sometimes years — before composting. Keep a small stack within reach and toss them in with your regular laundry.
Recycle smarter
Recycling works — but not everything labeled “recyclable” actually gets recycled. In the U.S., metals (like aluminum cans) and cardboard are widely and reliably recycled. Clean paper and rigid plastic bottles (#1 and #2) are often accepted as well. But thin plastics, multi-layer packaging, plastic bags and many takeout containers frequently end up in landfills, even if they carry a recycling symbol. When in doubt, check your local guidelines. Recycling rules vary by city because they depend on local processing facilities and markets.