Recycling Paper: Looking Around Your House to Find Areas You Waste Paper

by Rhonda Wylie on April 25, 2012

  • Recycling Paper: Looking Around Your House to Find Areas You Waste Paper

Before doing any further research on paper recycling, I am taking a look around my house at all the obvious ways that I can take positive steps toward reducing or recycling paper products.

  1. I use tons of tissue as a result of my allergies.
  2. I use lots of printer paper as I am in the habit of printing everything I see to read later.
  3. I am an avid reader and love books. I choose to buy more hard cover or paperback books than I do eBooks.
  4. We go through paper towels in our house like they are nothing.
  5. When applying or cleaning off my makeup, I use even more tissues.
  6. I shred my documents to prevent identity theft and I usually end up tossing the shredded paper.
  7. We use paper towels or napkins for every meal.
  8. I keep journals and use spiral notebooks. I’m notorious for not using the complete spiral notebook before moving on to another one.
  9. Scrap paper is usually scrapped rather than used for another purpose.
  10. We use paper plates for microwaving food and to cut down on dirty dishes.

Okay, now that the guilt is really setting in, what’s the first step? How can I make a positive change to help our planet TODAY…not tomorrow?

In looking at just the 10 things that first came to mind, there is a lot I can do without even having to know much about recycling paper.

  1. I can get some handkerchiefs to use throughout the day to blow my nose.
  2. I can make sure when I print that it is absolutely necessary. Where appropriate, I can reduce my document margins, so that large documents do not require so many pages. Also, if I am printing just for informational purposes, I can reuse the paper by flipping it over.
  3. I can start trying to incorporate more eBooks into my book library.
  4. Instead of always reaching for a paper towel, I can use more dish cloths and hand towels to clean up messes or dry my hands.
  5. I need to designate old wash rags specifically for cleaning off my makeup so that I will not have to worry about stains. This will cut down on the amount of tissues used.
  6. From now on I can save all my shredded paper and use it as packing material or eventually put it in the recycling bins.
  7. I can buy cloth napkins and stop using paper napkins or paper towels.
  8. I can make a conscious effort to stop wasting paper in my journals and notebooks. When appropriate I can do my journaling online.
  9. I can start a box that is designated as “scrap paper” so that whenever we have any scrap paper that can be used to write on, we can put it in the box.
  10. I can quit buying paper plates except for maybe during holiday times or other times there is a big crowd.

I know Arbor Day is not until Friday, but I am vowing today to get started in making a difference to save our trees, clean up our environment, and save money.  I will let you know my progress as I take care of these items, and then move on to bigger recycling tasks.

As you can see, with very little thought, I have discovered several ways I can make a difference. What about you? Are you ready to go “green” and save our trees? Are you buying too many paper products? Are you wasting paper and money? Each individual really CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE in his or her own paper recycling effort.

 Next Step to Green Living: It’s Arbor Day – Let’s Plant a Tree!

Written by Rhonda Wylie

Rhonda Wylie

Rhonda is a self-taught entrepreneur, blogger, and aspiring freelance writer, who is always eager to take on new challenges. She is on a self-improvement mission of cleaning out the negative clutter of her own life so she can become a happier, healthier, and more productive individual. Her hope is to inspire each person to eliminate the negative clutter that’s weighing them down, so we can all live our best life EVER!

It's Arbor Day: Let's Plant a Tree!
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