MONTHS before the downturn in the economy became official, staff of Limerick County Council were instructed to reduce paper usage.
Council official, Pauline McDonagh, has confirmed to the Limerick Post that having already achieved a 15 per cent reduction, they are encouraged to increase the target for end of this year.
To strengthen the employees’ resolve, five large banners have been erected in the main reception area of County Hall, outlining the various methods that staff can use to reduce paper wastage.
Currently participating in the initiative is the University of Limerick, which is encouraging students to submit course-work, final year projects and theses on double-sided paper, rather than separate sheets.
“The project aims to prevent waste being generated in business and the fact that the council has already achieved a 15 per cent reduction in paper usage illustrates the commitment of staff to the environment and to this project which is a good example of tangible waste prevention – I’m confident we can build on our achievements to-date,” said Lorraine Power, environmental awareness officer with Limerick County Council who added that they had established a number of procedures to track paper usage.
Meanwhile, the council has issued 10 top tips in reducing paper waste at work among which are the following: send drafts by email not hard copy: go paperless to meetings – make use of available laptops/projectors to present information: invest in a memory stick, to use less paper: avoid printing and posting documents when they can be scanned and emailed: reuse blank sheets: remember that printing in colour costs over three times in black and white: use reusable envelopes for all internal mail
