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THE MAST
 Vol. LXXXI, No. 11 G.R.E.A.N., printing services explore paper options Ben Rasmus and Rachel Esbjornson Mast A&E editor A new type of paper could soon fill the paper trays at PLU. A 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper might be available in the library, computer lab and for professors and faculty members. The student activist group Grassroots Environmental Action Now has been instrumental in this potential change. Currently, the library, computer lab and printer in the Rieke science building print with 30 percent post-consumer recycled paper. G.R.E.A.N.'s goal is to convert to 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper. "It is definitely feasible for PLU to switch to 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper," senior G.R.E.A.N. activist Jessie Ham said. "Larger universities have made the transition smoothly." G.R.E.A.N. has worked extensively with University Printing Administration to tackle the question of paper resource conservation on campus. G.R.E.A.N. members have found University Printing Administration helpful, and in fact encouraging, in facilitating this change. "The University Printing Administration has been really helpful," senior Kate Dunlap said. "We are grateful of the fact they have really gone out of their way to council and set up appointments and listen to the student body." For example, the director of printing at PLU, Kathy Berry, does not order paper from companies that produce their product from old growth forests. In 1997, when Berry arrived at PLU, only 10 percent of campus paper came from recycled resources. Since 1997, Berry has altered PLU's paper supply to consist mainly of post-consumer recycled paper. "At least 95 percent of paper in stock rooms is 30 to 50 percent post-consumer recycled," Berry said. "Some are 100 percent paper, and everything we purchase is from new growth trees. We are trying to be very good stewards." |
The members of G.R.E.A.N. said they still feel
more can be done. "For one, we really need more of a push from
both students and faculty," Dunlap said. Many professors and
faculty are unaware they can presently request 30 percent
post-consumer recycled paper. Many hurdles lay in the way of switching PLU to a 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper campus. For one, 100 percent recycled paper is expensive, about $1.60 to $2.00 more a ream compared to un-recycled paper. There are 500 sheets of printing paper in one ream. Second, 100 percent recycled paper leaves residue in printers and copiers, which might result in maintenance increases. Third, implementing a campus wide change in paper could only result from a budget reallocation by PLU President Loren Andersen. Members of G.R.E.A.N. are working with the University Printing Services to submit a proposal, which might result in achieving a 100 percent post-consumer recycled campus. If this proposal were to be accepted, PLU would still have an inventory of un-recycled paper to meet specific demands, such as for posters and official PLU correspondence. G.R.E.A.N. is part of a nationwide movement to bring universities to using 100 percent recycled paper. Many universities claim to have done so, but Berry said an inventory consisting exclusively of recycled paper would not meet the needs of an entire university. Yet, G.R.E.A.N. members remain undaunted in their mission to transform PLU's current printing procedures. On Nov. 13, University Printing service representatives, a West Coast Paper specialist and G.R.E.A.N. performed a test to see how well 100 percent recycled paper would work in a printer on duplex mode, printing on both front and back. Two different 100 percent recycled printing papers were tested. The limited test tried to determine if excessive amounts of residue from 100 percent recycled paper would jam the machine. Overall, the test was successful. One brand in particular, Aspen paper, did especially well. The results are to be included in the report being submitted to President Anderson. Even if PLU does not switch to 100 percent post-consumer paper in the near future, both students and faculty members can do their share to conserve paper resources. Properly recycling paper is one important mean of paper conservation and post-consumer recycled paper is readily available for purchase in the bookstore. |