Reducing paper saves departments money, reduces waste, saves energy, and just makes sense! Paper alone accounted for 1.1% of Pitt’s FY19 GHG emissions, but since 2019 paper use on campus has dropped by 70%.
While these reductions were accelerated by the pandemic, the shift towards working and sharing information digitally continues. Pitt is committed to supporting behaviors that reduce paper and printing. Read on for resources and best practices to reduce your paper use!
In 2018, Pitt began purchasing carbon neutral TreeZero paper, made from sugarcane fiber rather than trees. The combination of purchasing TreeZero and at least 30% recycled content paper reduced the impact of Pitt’s printing, saving over 5,800 trees and 2.5 million lbs of CO2e in 2019 [EPN].
In 2019, Pitt purchased 206,490 reams of paper- nearly 2,800 sheets per person! With remote work and behavior change from the pandemic, paper purchases dropped to just over 560 sheets per person in 2022.
Global supply shortages of TreeZero and recycled content paper have limited Pitt’s sustainable paper supply (Click here for updates on alternative sustainable paper supply), though 30% Recycled Content paper is currently available for $0.60 more than a case of the leading nonrecycled content paper.
While paper is 100% recyclable and Pitt is making strides in sustainable paper purchases, reducing print all together is the most resilient and sustainable practice.
Pitt has many resources for employees and students to help reduce our reliance on paper. Click the links below to peruse University sites that offer tools and guidance.
The University of Pittsburgh is transitioning to a new vendor for managed, multifunction Printers. These shared devices save energy, reduce accidental and abandoned print jobs, are more secure than desktop printers, and provide all service and ink/toner through university-wide contract.
Have a desktop printer you no longer use? Contact Pitt Surplus to request a pickup of your desktop printer and any other electronic waste.
Pitt IT manages over 80 student printers located in Student Computing Labs and Pitt Print Stations across campus (see the map below for locations). These shared devices save energy and reduce unnecessary prints.
Download the Pitt Print Client to access these networked printers across campus from your laptop or mobile phone, and click the link below for more information.
