Not-so-fun-fact: Roughly 26 million tons of paper waste end up in landfills every year. Yikes! Can you imagine the number of trees it took to create that much paper, all for one time uses that end up in the trash? Our environment cannot keep taking these hits. Lucky for us, there are plenty of ways to reduce our paper usage and help keep our environment intact!

Use Your Electronics

If you can type quickly (or even if you can’t, no judgement!), I highly recommend taking advantage of the electronics you own! Laptops/computers/tablets can all take the place of numerous paper products such as notebooks, newspaper, story books, etc. There are even specialty notebooks on the market that allow to write in them, scan them to your laptop, and then erase them, so no paper gets wasted! You can also use your electronics for reading, listening to books or pulling up today’s daily news!

Use Recycled Paper

Many people hear this statement and get a little…skeeved. Why? I will never understand because notebooks made from recycled paper save the trees and are often sturdier than traditional notebooks.

Something I also take part in is kitchen and bath products made from recycled paper. Meaning, if I ever purchase napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, they are all made from recycled paper! These products do not cost much more (if anymore) than traditional products and you get just as much bang for your buck!

Swap to Re-Useable Products

Although it may lead to a little bit extra laundry, swapping some paper products for reusable alternatives is a fantastic option that will ultimately save you money in the long run! Try swapping out your roll of paper towels for a roll of small towels that you can use and then pop in the laundry! Some people have even created paper towel holders with reusable towels on them, how innovative! There are also products that are specifically designed to be reusable without needing to be washed after each use. You could also switch from paper plates to traditional plates or paper cups to traditional cups. They are plenty of options!

Think Before You Print

We all have to print items from time to time but hit the pause button on your printer before you commit! Make sure you are printing double-sided where possible. If you have to sign a document and send it back to someone, remember that you do not have to print it. There are plenty of websites that provide you the option to sign your document online, save it, and send it!  Make sure you are only printing what you need, don’t print in excess when you only need page 5 of a 35-page file!

Although there are several other ways to cut down on your paper usage, these are a few of my tried-and-true methods that have made a significant difference in my life. I would also recommend donating to some charities that plant trees or purchasing from companies who plant a tree for every product purchased. These companies vary by area, but they are good for your soul and your planet!