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Use recycled paper with at least a 30% post-consumer content or tree-free fiber content

According to the EPA, paper comprises 28% of the solid waste generated by Americans. Paper recycling helps to direct this common waste away from the landfill and lessens the burden on virgin forests.

Currently, 90% of the paper made in the world is produced from wood pulp, but several tree-free fiber alternatives exist, including agricultural wastes like husks and straw, fiber crops such as hemp, textile wastes such as rope and linen scraps, and wild plants like bamboo.

Purchase non-bleached paper products

Chlorine is commonly used to bleach paper products a pure white color, including such products as coffee filters, paper towels, toilet paper, and more. However, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and other derivatives used by the paper and pulp industry are harmful to the environment, especially to aquatic organisms. In addition, traces of these bleaching compounds remain in the paper, filters, paper plates, and paper towels that people handle, or even eat off of, every day. Bleaching with chlorine also results in the production of dioxins as carcinogenic byproducts. Less dangerous bleaching substitutes include oxygen, ozone, and hydrogen peroxide. Learn more about chlorine-free products and paper product choices.

Program your machines to photocopy and print on both sides automatically

Automatically printing your documents double-sided can cut paper use in half. Use these instructions to change your printer’s default settings to print double-sided. For individualized instructions on changing photocopy and print settings, search for instructions specific to your printer model.

Use online banking, bill paying, and/or paycheck direct deposit

Many banks provide an online billing service to keep financial transactions paperless. Online banking also offers other convenient services that can cut down on bank visits and paperwork, such as electronic transfers between accounts.

Participate in green and socially responsible investing

When researching companies or mutual funds to invest in, consider options that support sustainability and social responsibility. You may want to invest in companies that provide products and services through environmentally-friendly practices, such as the use of recycled materials. You can consider companies with environmentally-friendly purposes, such as production of renewable energy. You can also support companies that have socially responsible practices, such as providing fair wages. To learn more about green and socially responsible investing, check out Yes Investing or the Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investing.

Calculate your environmental footprint

Try out at least one of these useful calculators to discover your ecological, carbon, water, or nitrogen footprint. Re-calculate these values once you’ve finished the challenge to see how much you have improved!

Calculate your ecological footprint:

My household’s ecological footprint is: ___________ Earths

Calculate your carbon footprint:

My household’s carbon footprint is: ____________ metric tons CO₂/year

Calculate your water footprint:

My household’s water footprint is: ____________ gallons/day

Calculate your nitrogen footprint:

My household’s nitrogen footprint is: __________ lb Nitrogen/year