Requiring City departments to reduce paper and buy 100% recycled paper (Paper Use Reduction & Recycled Paper Procurement Directive), 2008
Mill Valley, CA
Mill Valley save paper sign. Image from the City of Mill Valley.
HOW IT CAN BENEFIT YOU
Cutting trees to make products like paper takes away homes from wildlife, and causes landslides and flooding. Mill Valley helped address those problems by requiring City departments to:
- Reduce paper purchases by 20% below 2007 levels by December 2009.
- Buy 100% post-consumer recycled paper.
WHY IT'S A LEADING PROGRAM
Unlike some cities, Mill Valley:
- Requires un-coated, 100% recycled paper for letterhead, newsletters, reports, and even for exhibits, business cards, pamphlets and other specialty items.
- The City Council accesses meeting documents on iPads instead of on paper. It also reminds City departments to reduce margin widths so more text can fit on one sheet.
GOAL
To reduce paper.
WHO CAN TAKE ACTION
City departments.
ANTICIPATED OR ACTUAL OUTCOMES
Mill Valley saved more than $3,300 by reducing paper purchases by 20% reduction in 2008.
CONTACT
Danielle L. Staude, Senior Planner, City of Mill Valley, 415-388-4033, dstaude@cityofmillvalley.org
LAST UPDATED
September 23, 2015