An opportunity has arisen for Houghton to create a policy that ensures the use of sustainably-sourced printer paper for its academic departments. Sustainably-sourced paper is not necessarily 100% recycled, but is chlorine-free, sourced from responsibly-logged forests, and has some recycled content. Most paper is made through irresponsible logging methods that have negative effects on biodiversity (important for the roles each species has in sustainability), virgin growth forests (meaning old forests that have never been touched), and local environments. Standard paper production techniques release enormous amounts of chlorine and other toxic chemicals into the environment, resulting in major pollution problems for local communities.
Many faculty members already try to use as little paper as possible, which I really appreciate. However, when professors do feel the need to print things, why not print on paper that hasn’t destroyed an ecosystem, been illegally logged, or polluted the environment with toxic chemicals?
Making the switch to sustainably-sourced paper brings us one step closer to living in sync with what we say we care about. Back in 2008, President Mullen signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment which shows Houghton’s ongoing commitment to reducing our impact on the environment. We’ve done a lot already. Our cleaning products are earth-friendly, we have hand-dryers in most bathrooms, we have motion-activated lights, our printers are set to save paper by printing on both sides, we have composting at the townhouses, we have recycling bins absolutely everywhere, we have energy-efficient laundry facilities, I already mentioned that many faculty members have committed to using less paper… oh yeah, and we have a solar ray! Switching to sustainably-sourced paper is consistent with what we are already doing. Therefore it is clear: we should make this step towards further improvement.
If this policy were implemented, the college would only see an overall annual increase of about $1,200 which covers all departments. Half of the departments would see less than a $10 increase in costs and 85% of departments would see less than a $30 increase in costs. There is no difference in paper quality and we would be buying third-party certified paper, ensuring environmental responsibility.
Administration wants to see student interest in sustainably-sourced paper before making a decision. Students purchasing paper at the campus store have already shown a willingness to pay $1.50 more for recycled-content paper. Twenty percent of paper sales at the Campus Store are from sustainably-sourced paper already. I urge students who do not already purchase sustainably sourced paper to make this small personal sacrifice and do so.
Lauren Bechtel, the driving force behind this proposed change, reports that the petition has 152 respondents so far, with a 4:1 Student to Faculty/Staff participation. Thus far, 96% of responses have been positive, and Lauren welcomes any comments in a box provided in the survey. The petition/survey will close on April 13, 2015. Do your part and share your student voice in support of this cause.
As Christians we are to be examples in stewardship. We imitate God when we care for his earth and the people who live here. Not only is creation care Biblical, it is one of the simplest ways we can affect the lives of people living around the world. Sure, cheaper paper saves some money, but the problem with cheap things is that someone is paying for that lower price and it is usually those who can afford it least. With cheaper paper, the communities affected by chemical pollution and deforestation pay the price. Surely Houghton can afford to absorb the cost it takes to produce something that we use to our benefit. It is simple: we should make this change for the better.
