Paper Use and Waste
Earthwatch uses paper and produces publications as a vital part of its work on the dissemination of research findings and the fulfillment of its education and engagement mission. These publications are part of our products and services, which involve materials and suppliers that unavoidably produce waste.

Since 2006 we have had in place processes to measure paper and printed publications use, recycling, and waste throughout the office.

Paper Use Indicators
Number of publications available in printed form and electronically
Money spent on postage of publications
Proportion of recycled paper or paper from sustainably-managed forests used in publications (%)
Total reams of paper used in the office
Amount of stationery used in the office
Amount of paper/publications recycled in the office (average weight)
Average consumption of paper per capita

Publications
The Communications and Marketing Team has reviewed our publication requirements and reduced the number and quantity of printed publications it produces (for example, by producing a monthly e-newsletter). We are increasing our use of electronic communication and the availability of publications on our website in user-friendly formats, which also reduces the transport impact of distributing publications.

Reduce and Recycle
An ongoing objective is to reduce the amount of paper and postage, and to increasingly use e-mail and the website as vehicles for communication with our audience.

Staff has been encouraged to use scrap paper or double-sided printing for necessary printing. In 2006, we saved 208 pounds of paper by printing on the blank side of scrap paper. Board members may now request that they be sent all their materials electronically, saving money, the emissions associated with express mailing, and paper.

Waste
On average our staff produce less than one pound of waste per person per week, in part because of our extensive and well used recycling program. Our office contracts with a waste management company to pick up our recycling. We are fortunate that we are able to recycle a wide variety of materials. We currently recycle:

  • Mixed plastics: #1 - #7
  • Clean plastic knives, forks, and spoons
  • Plastic and metal bottle caps
  • Yogurt and other stackable containers
  • Glass bottles
  • Steel cans
  • Aluminum cans
  • Tin Foil
  • Clean metal and plastic take-out containers
  • Sealed plastic packaging
  • All mixed paper:
  • White
    • Colored
    • Glossy
    • Newspaper
    • Magazines
    • Envelopes with windows
    • Paper with staples
    • Junk mail
  • Manila folders
  • Clean paper towels and napkins
  • Tissues
  • Cardboard
  • Paperboard (e.g. cereal boxes)
  • Packing peanuts
  • Styrofoam packing blocks
  • Clean Styrofoam plates
  • Batteries
  • Computer and IT equipment
  • Toner cartridges
  • Cell phones