SAVE Award 2011 Ideas

Less Energy to make paper out of new trees then to recycle.

There is a paper company I've found here in San Francisco called New Leaf Paper that produces 100% post consumer waste (PCW) paper. We've been using their paper for publications and day to day copying. Why not purchase this sustainable paper. We found they even cost $30 cheaper per box. We've informed the vendor how to get on the Central Contracting Registration, but until then all of the paper we seem to get is only... more »

I submitted this last year too.

 

Put recycle bins near the hand paper towel dispensers everywhere, including kitchens, work areas with sinks, and in the bathrooms.

Recycle all paper used and only use recycled paper.

Attorneys and other government agencies use a vast amount of paper.The USAO should begin to switch to digital submissions.AUSAs send letters to inmates, judges, and defense attorneys on a daily basis.They also file briefs/other legal documents, which can sometimes be several hundred pages, in large quantities.By submitting documents/correspondents digitally, the USAO should be able to cut their use of paper by at least... more »

The Chillicothe VAMC has a new Biomass boiler/generator. It uses shredded wood to power it. Could future Biomass boilers/generators be configured to accept the shredded confidential documents/paper as fuelas well? The disposal costs of the shredded paper should be reduced. Less shredded wood would need to be purchased.

Cut back on paper use and waste to save money and help save earth's forests. By assigning a recycling program and program monitor to major government agencies, we can collect the used paper and spot trends in wasteful use of resources (i.e. paper). The monitor can see which specific departments are wasting the most paper and instill new policies to reduce such waste, such as requiring said departments to use their shop... more »

Mail all medicaiton in recycled cardboard boxes instead of plastic boxes which are often thrown away. You could also allow patients to return there empty perscription items in these boxes and mailed back so you can save on plastic mail bags as well as medication bottles.