New Recycled Paper Policy

Ithaca College has adopted a new policy of purchasing primarily 30 percent recycled content letter-sized paper. It is estimated that this policy, when applied to the 120 tons of such paper purchased each year, will lessen the College's impact on the environment by annually saving 1,500 trees, over a million gallons of water, the equivalent of 8,500 gallons of gasoline, and 440 cubic yards of landfilled material.

"The new policy will cost the College approximately $7,500 per year in higher paper costs, a small price to pay for the anticipated benefits," says Thomas Salm, vice president for business and administrative affairs. "We view this as part of a renewed effort by the College to reduce the environmental impact of our policies and procedures."

The recommendation for this policy came from the Resource and Environmental Management Program (REMP). Comprising faculty, staff, and students, REMP is dedicated to evaluating and improving College practices that have an environmental impact. Other REMP efforts include recycling, composting, reclamation of mercury-containing fluorescent bulbs, and the collection and redistribution of surplus materials.

Salm says the College administration will also be issuing recommendations to further reduce paper use, and in conjunction with campus constituencies will assess other areas, such as energy efficiency and water conservation, in which improvements may be made.