Sustainability
Cut what you don’t need, reuse what you can, and check local recycling rules.
One-sided printouts, takeout menus, and paper towels can create avoidable waste. Start by noticing what your household throws away, then prevent, reuse, or recycle paper where practical.
Paper waste includes paper that could have been avoided, reused, or handled through an available recycling program. Reduce unnecessary use first, reuse what remains, then check local rules.
Unwanted mail, duplicate printouts, paper towels, packaging, and one-sided sheets are common sources. Notice what you discard most over a week to find a change that fits your household.
Review documents on screen when practical, and check the layout before printing. Print only useful pages and use both sides when suitable; forms, writing, and accessibility may call for one-sided sheets.
Reuse clean, dry sheets for notes or drafts, save intact envelopes, and keep gift bags or wrapping paper for another occasion. A small, sorted scrap-paper tray makes useful pieces easy to find.
Recycle paper only when your local program accepts its type and condition. Check guidance for coated, wet, greasy, or shredded paper; collection rules vary by municipality and service.
Choose two or three manageable changes, such as opting out of a mailing, using both sides of suitable sheets, or choosing washable cloth napkins. Keep reuse supplies where people need them.
Before discarding paper, ask whether you need a copy, whether the sheet can serve another task, and whether local recycling accepts it. Start with the paper your household discards most.
Receipts may have different materials and recycling rules, so check local guidance. Keep only clean envelopes and scraps likely to be used; a growing, unsorted pile is not helpful reuse.
Digital documents are not always the right choice for every task or person. Keep paper books, notebooks, or records when they serve a real need, and focus on avoiding paper you do not need.
Keep reading