The Libraries-Creative Communications Steering Committee has taken the green initiative to the next level by mandating that all student library and computing lab printers default to two-sided production beginning in Autumn quarter 2009. Additionally, all machines will be utilizing locally produced 100% Recycled Grays Harbor Paper.
This environmental effort supports recent legislation that requires campus paper consumption to be reduced by 30% over the next year. The move to two-sided printing also has been endorsed by numerous students groups including: SEED, WashPirg, The Earth Club, the Sierra Student Coalition, and the UW Green Coalition.
The Grays Harbor paper is not only 100% recycled, it is produced in Hoquiam, Washington, which reduces fuel consumption previously required for transport from more distant suppliers The copy centers on campus have been using this great paper since 2006.
While students continue to have a single-sided printing option, the committee anticipates that moving to two-sided production on the 40 copiers and 80 printers in Seattle, Tacoma and Bothell will reduce paper consumption by 35%.