Among the many bills going into effect on July 26 is one that will require all state agencies with 25 or more employees to switch to 100 percent recycled office paper by the end of this year. That means printers and photocopiers will be stocked with recycled paper only. Additionally, agencies will have to develop and implement a plan to reduce overall paper usage by at least 30 percent within a year.The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Lynn Kessler, who represents Washington’s 24th Legislative District. The district is home to pulp and paper mills that provide good family-wage jobs, including one mill that produces 100 percent recycled paper using a certified “green” manufacturing process.
Not only will this new requirement give a boost to recycled paper manufacturers, it also enables the state to “walk the walk” when it comes to conserving resources and reducing waste. The state Department of Ecology and the City of Seattle already use 100 percent recycled paper, and not only are they experiencing some cost savings, they are also discovering that recycled paper is no more likely to jam a printer or copier than regular paper.
Of course, Murphy’s Law still dictates that no matter what kind of paper you use, the photocopier will jam when you are in a hurry.
