Department/Unit

In 2012, the Trojan Green department/unit competition called for a reduction the amount of paper used across campus. Reducing the amount of paper you use can save money, energy, water, and waste.

Suggested Strategies to Reduce Paper and Toner/Ink Cartridge Usage

  1. Change the default setting on all copiers (and printers, fax machines, and scanners) to DUPLEX.  Arizona State University anticipates a 36% cost savings just from implementing duplex printing across campus.
  2. Change the default margins on all computers to NARROW (Page Layout, Margins, Narrow).  The single act of using narrow margins could result in approximately 5% savings in paper usage, according to studies done at Pennsylvania State University and Michigan State University.
  3. Challenge your Department/Unit to reduce paper usage or become paperless!  Encourage the use of ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS instead of printing hard copies (use Blackboard for tests and virtual handouts, use electronic or PDF forms, use e-filing instead of hard copies, etc.).
  4. Implement your own creative strategies for reducing paper and toner usage.

Other Strategies for Greener Printing

  1. Switch to RECYCLED CONTENT paper.
  2. Switch to SOY-BASED ink toners and printer cartridges.
  3. Install ECOFONT (http://www.ecofont.com/) and set it as the default font on all printers.  EcoFont uses up to 50% less ink than other fonts.
  4. Install GREENPRINT (http://www.printgreener.com/1/), PAPERCUT (http://www.papercut.com/), or another printer management software system for departments, computer labs, and offices.  GreenPrint alerts you to empty pages before they are printed and even calculates your savings in greenhouse gas emissions, trees, water, and waste.  PaperCut allows you to monitor usage and set quotas across departments.

Through a combination of these strategies, a UA Little Rock student research project was able to show one UA Little Rock College how it could save 39-43% in paper and toner costs.  Now it’s your turn!

Tracking Progress

Please use one of the methods below.

Number of copies made in January, February, and March 2011
Number of copies made in January, February, and March 2012
Percent increase or decrease

Number of boxes (or reams) used in January, February, and March 2011
Number of boxes (or reams) used in January, February, and March 2012
Percent increase or decrease

Submit your results on this form no later than April 6, 2012.Department, Unit Competition Application

Winner will be announced at Campus Earth Day activities on Thursday, April 19, 2012.