With every step in the life cycle of a sheet of paper contributing to global warming, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is encouraging each Abu Dhabi organisation to organize a Paper-Less Day in its offices on June 3, 2010.
Paper-Less Day means that all non-essential printing and copying of paper would stop and in turn, save hundreds of kilograms in carbon emissions from seeping into our atmosphere. Moreover, paper will not be available in printers and copiers and can only be acquired through designated focal points after the need is clarified. All participating organisations will be asked to measure their paper use on that day and report it in relation to their average paper use on a normal day. The paper industry is one of the world’s major polluting industries and it is estimated that around 900 million trees are cut down annually to make paper.
Last year, EAD’s Paper-Less Day successfully led 12 government and non-government organisations in Abu Dhabi to cease all their non-essential printing. Together, they managed to reduce their Co2 emissions by 153.61 Kg. Some of the organizations were so inspired by Paper-Less Day, that they immediately rolled out a series of changes to help reduce paper consumption in their offices throughout the year.
“We encourage every organization to move beyond the rhetoric of stating that they care about the environment and actually do something about it. This is one way you can help combat global warming because it is indeed possible to function with reduced paper. Visit www.paperlessday.ae and register to organize a Paper-Less Day in your office on June 3,” said H.E Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of EAD.
The organisations so far confirmed to participate in Paper-Less Day on June 3, 2010 are BP, Shell, Masdar, Abu Dhabi Department of Transport, ADGAS, GASCO, Al Dar, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority
10 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO SAVE PAPER
1. Read your newspaper online.
2. Tissues are also made of paper. Think before you pull!
3. Think before you print something.
4. Use both sides of the sheet of paper
5. Follow the 3 R’s; Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
6. Go electronic!
7. Use the ‘Fit to Page’ feature in Microsoft Excel.
8. Send faxes electronically
9. Switch to recycled paper!
10. Be an agent for change! Share these tips with your friends and family.
About Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD)
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is a governmental agency that was established in 1996. We are committed to protecting and managing biodiversity, providing a clean environment and promoting Sustainable Development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. We provide a direction for Government, business and the community to build environmental considerations into the way they plan and live without compromising Abu Dhabi development. Since 2008, EAD has been awarded ISO 9001 for Quality; ISO 14001 for Environment and ISO 18001 for Health and Safety.
View News Headlines
