SAVE Award 2011 Ideas

Set the default printer settings on all government printers to duplex printing, instead of simplex. Printing on both sides of the page, obviously, would reduce paper usage by half. If this was the default, on every printer in the Federal Government, we would save hundreds of thousands of dollars, every year, on paper alone. Because we would be reducing the weight and volume of so many printed documents, we would also... more »

Travel pay is abused; eliminate it.

 

Provide duplex printers in all areas to minimize paper waste.

If you don't have it you can't waste it. More paper is wasted on meetings, weekly reports, gantt charts, phone lists, status updates etc. Instead of providing an endless amount of printing paper, provide finite amounts monthly, once it's gone it's gone until the next ration arrives.

Tons of paper is needlessly tossed, and there is a better way than simply recycling it. Paper that is only used on one side can be re-used, by cutting into halves or quarters and stapling together into "notebooks". This not only saves the environment, but reduces the need for expensive post-it notes.

Here at the Golden Field Office, we send grant documents to Intellectual Property in Chicago for every grant and modification that is completed. This results in anywhere from 20 to 60 pages being printed and shipped to Chicago. Instead of wasting paper, ink, and shipping costs (as well as the pollution byproducts), we should be able to send the digital files directly to Chicago via email or upload. This would have... more »

Establish consistent, universal electronic filing method across governmental organizations for information on projects/databases/A-files, etc. to reduce the need for physical filing. If employees have confidence in finding electronic files, they’re less likely to create duplicate caches of information; also, this will enhance the speed and efficiency of all processes.

In addition, centralize printing facilities within... more »

I think it would be cost effective if we eliminate the mailing of hard copies of Newsletters specially to oversea Post/Mission/Agency.People almost don't read them or just take a moment to go trough very quickly and then they are good for trushes.
Maybe we could instead identify Point of Contacts in each office or Mission or Agency and send them the electronic version of the newsletter when there is a new issue, then... more »

Developing and printing numerous copies of briefing books for upper management is tedious and time-consuming. By keeping the intended content as an electronic copy, you eliminate the hundreds of pages of paper contained in the briefing book, as well as the many pages immediately recycled because of newed, updated material. And organizing the tabs and structure of the briefing book would be SOO much faster electronically.... more »