Reduce Reuse Recycle in papers

We all know that most of the papers we use for printing/copying comes form the trees.
We all know that trees are an essential for our environment and for our lives.

How we can apply this 3-R in our office or home to help our environment?
This article is focused in the eficient use of consumer paper that we use, sometimes, daily.

In my personal opinion, we have to start first to try to Reduce:

Reduce

"Can I reduce the number of pages to be printed?" There are several ways to reduce the number of pages to print, mainly if what we are printing it is not a formal document and it is just for our personal use:

1. "Do i need to print this?": Many times we print documents that we are not sure if we will need them in paper. Try to keep them digitally as much as possible.
   Reduction: 100% of pages.
   
2. Remove extra information that you don't need to be printed. Many times we print webpages that contains ad-banners or images that we don't need to print. Copy only the text you need and paste it in a word processor and then print it from there. Reduction: about 1 page
   
3. Reduce the font size and spaces. In many cases single space, 10-point font will be enough for reading. Remove extra paragraph spaces and make titles smaller. Also, try to reduce margin sizes, up-bottom and left-right. Reduction: 30 - 40% of pages.
   
4. Print double-side. Don't be lazy and learn how to print in both sides. Many printers / copiers have automatically this option. Read the manuals and put it on practice. Also, it is very easy to do it manually, if your printer / copier doesn't have that option. Reduction: 50% of pages.
5. Print 2 pages per side. Many printers and software (e.g., fineprint) will let you print 2 pages per side. I use it very often and the final size is very clear (because margins adjusted). This could be very convenient for printing manuals or long articles (as the final size is very portable). Reduction: 50% of pages.
   
6. If you need to print your PowerPoint presentation, try to print 8 or 9 per page. Many printers have this option or also you can use other software (e.g. fineprint). Reduction: 80 - 90% of pages.
   
7. Always try to "print preview" and ensure that no extra "garbage" will be printed.Use "virtual printers" (e.g., fineprint, etc.) to see exactly how your printing will look like before wasting any page due to a mistake. Reduction: 100% (in case of a mistake).

Reuse

This is a very good habit and many people have it. Try to reuse the paper as much as possible:

1. If you printed in only one side, then the other side can be still used. Either for printing or for your personal annotations.
   
2. If the printed document had a small mistake (and if it is not very formal), try to fix it with a pen and a "correction fluid". Many times it is not necessary to print the document again.
3. Kids love to reuse papers. Even it is printed both sides, children may find it very useful for drawing, making paper planes, origami, etc. If you have kids around, save those for them.
4. If the paper is not 100% printed in any side, cut it, so you can create "post-it" type papers to write down messages.
5. If you have a shredder machine, you can keep the paper rests and fill out boxes to keep contents safe (for post mail).

Recycle

Recycle must be the last option. If you already reduced and reused your papers, then separate all your papers and follow your city's recommendations in order to recycle it. In case your city doesn't have any environment measure to recycle it, in many cities, you may find recycle companies that will be happy to receive your paper. If there are no options around to recycle your paper, you can learn how to do it your self and convert your paper in reusable paper, good for painting or envolve presents. Remember that recycle must not be the first option, because it takes energy and money to produce paper again.

Please NEVER burn or through your paper to general garbage because in order to re-obtain that paper, a tree will die.