POLICY
WSU personnel are to observe the requirements in this section. This section addresses:
- Purchasing multipurpose paper with recycled content,
- Reducing paper usage, and
- Recycling used paper.
The Governor's Executive Order 05-01 requires that all state agencies reduce overall paper use, increase the use of 100 percent recycled content paper, and recycle all used office paper. (Executive Order 05-01)
Effective December 31, 2009, state regulations require that all state agencies purchase 100 percent recycled content white cut sheet bond paper for use in office printers and copiers. (RCW 43.19A)
University policy mandates the efficient use of state resources. (Executive Policy Manual EP24).
Definition
Multipurpose paper is paper of letter and legal size that includes, but is not limited to, paper used for ink jet and laser printers, copiers, and fax machines.
PURCHASING PROCEDURES
Paper for Office Printers and Copiers
Departments are to purchase 100 percent recycled content white cut sheet bond paper for use in office printers and copiers. (RCW 43.19A)
The state legislature encourages state agencies and departments to give priority to purchasing from companies that produce paper in facilities that generate energy from renewable energy sources. (RCW 43.19A) University departments are encouraged to purchase white cut sheet bond paper from University Stores (see 70.35).
Exceptions
Departments using office printers and copiers which are unable to be calibrated to use 100 percent recycled content paper are to purchase paper with the highest recycled content that can be used efficiently by the printers and copiers.
At the time of lease renewal or at the end of the printer or copier's life cycle, the department is to lease or purchase a model that efficiently uses 100 percent recycled content white cut sheet bond paper.
Paper for High Volume Production
Printed projects that require the use of high volume production inserters or high-speed digital devices, such as those used by University Publishing/CougarCopies, are not required to meet the 100 percent recycled content white cut sheet bond paper requirement. Printing services departments are to use the highest recycled content paper that can be used efficiently by such equipment. (RCW 43.19A)
Paper for Other Purposes
Departments are to purchase non-white multipurpose papers that have a minimum of 30 percent recycled content, with a higher percentage of recycled content preferred.
Departments are encouraged to purchase letter and legal size multipurpose papers from either University Stores or a contract vendor (see below). NOTE: If the department purchases multipurpose paper from a contract vendor, the paper must have a minimum of 30 percent recycled content.
Vendors
University Stores
For University Stores' ordering procedures, see 70.35.
To view the current state vendor contracts, see the Washington Department of Enterprise Services (DES) Contracts website at:
http://www.des.wa.gov/services/ContractingPurchasing/CurrentContracts/Pages/default.aspx
Enter the word "paper" in the Keyword contract search field to view the current paper vendor contracts.
WSU Contract Vendors
To view the current WSU vendor contracts, see the Purchasing Services website at:
REDUCE PAPER USAGE
To support Governor's Executive Order 05-01, departments are to reduce overall paper use. Departments are to use multipurpose paper efficiently and avoid wasting state resources.
Recommended practices to reduce multipurpose paper use are described below:
- Set copier default to copy on both sides of a sheet of paper. Copier service technicians can change this default setting for most duplex copiers.
- Reuse paper by using a blank side of a previously used sheet for a separate purpose. Keep a tray of previously used paper next to the office printer or copier. Load the manual input or automatic feed trays with the previously used sheets.
NOTE: Do not reuse paper previously printed with confidential information, e.g., student identifiers. Such paper must be shredded prior to recycling.
- Reduce paper weight. Heavier weight sheets use more fiber and cost more per sheet than lighter weight sheets. Example: 24 lb. copier paper uses 16 percent more fiber than 20 lb. copier paper uses and is more expensive.
- Make copies as needed rather than in large batches at one time. Extra copies frequently become outdated or unusable.
- Maintain up-to-date mailing lists. Avoid wasting copies on undeliverable items.
- Enforce access codes for copier machines, printers, and fax machines.
- Use electronic mail for interoffice memos, announcements, and targeted communications. Use group e-mail listservs to deliver important messages. Encourage employees to avoid printing out e-mail messages. Retain e-mail messages requiring electronic retention in accordance with the records retention schedules. See 90.01 and 90.03.
- Eliminate fax cover sheets. Most fax machines automatically print identifying information at the top of pages sent. Put identifying information within the content of documents to be sent or use post-it notes to eliminate the need for cover sheets entirely.
- Request to be taken off fax mailing lists to stop junk fax mail being sent to department offices. The transmission of unsolicited faxed advertisements has been illegal under U.S. federal law since 1991. (47CFR64.1200)
- Store electronic documents in electronic archives using data compression software.
RECYCLE ALL PAPER
Departments are to recycle all multipurpose paper, rather than disposing of paper in wastebaskets or dumpsters. The University must pay to dispose of paper as solid waste; however, paper has value as a recycled commodity.
Confidential Material
Any documents containing confidential information must be shredded prior to recycling. See 90.01, 90.05, 90.06, and 90.07 regarding identification and disposition of confidential materials.
WSU Pullman Locations
WSU Pullman departments may deposit all grades of paper in the recycling collection bins located in all campus buildings or at WSU Recycling. See also 80.80.
For a complete list of the types of paper which departments are to recycle, select the list link on the Recycling at WSU website at:
Confidential Materials
University Recycling provides locked bins upon request to gather confidential materials for pickup and shredding. Contact University Recycling for more information.
Assistance
If additional recycling assistance is needed, contact University Recycling at 335-4530.
Non-Pullman Locations
Non-Pullman locations rely on municipal or commercial centers for recycling. Non-Pullman departments are to recycle paper in accordance with local recycling practices.
WSU Spokane
For information regarding recycling at the WSU Spokane campus, select the Recycling link on the WSUS Facilities website at:
http://www.spokane.wsu.edu/services/Facilities/recycling.html
WSU Tri-Cities
For information regarding recycling at the WSU Tri-Cities campus, see the WSUTC Recycling website at:
WSU Vancouver
For information regarding recycling at the WSU Vancouver campus, contact WSUV Facilities Operations; telephone 360-546-9000.