Understanding printing behaviours and paper consumption at the University of Wollongong

Universities and other organisations have a role to play in reducing the environmental impacts of their operations. Government, through policy, are encouraging organisations to reduce these impacts by minimising consumption, purchasing products with reduced environmental impacts and through improvements to technology. Understanding how much paper is consumed, how it is consumed and the reasons for paper consumption are important for understanding ways to reduce the environmental impacts of the organisation’s operations in relation to paper use. This study examines the office paper purchased, used and disposed and the reasons for office paper consumption at the University of Wollongong (UOW). This study has been undertaken in order to inform initiatives to reduce office paper use at UOW and provide insights for other organisations wishing to undertake similar initiatives.