Happy Earth Day!

Saving the planet can seem like a daunting task, but small steps can make a big difference. For instance, according to the America Forest and Paper Association, each American uses approximately one, 100-foot Douglas fir tree in paper and wood products a year. Just a few small shifts in buying and using behavior can cut that amount significantly.

Some ideas you can implement today:

  • Go double-sided when making copies or printing. If your printer won't handle that task, save scrap papers for your kids to use for doodling, or cut them up and secure with a brad or staples to make scratch pads.
  • Get rid of paper lunch bags. If your older kids are too cool for lunch boxes, ask them to bring their paper sack home daily to reuse.
  • Think twice before printing. We get used to having hard copies of everything, but ask yourself if you really need a print-out. (The average US office worker produces TWO POUNDS of paper waste a day!)
  • Turn off the water when brushing your teeth. This small action can save gallons of water a day.
  • Buy everyone his or her own water bottle. Not only do plastic bottles contribute huge amounts of waste and litter, they have been linked to health issues. Invest in some reusable water bottles and keep a stash on-hand in the refrigerator, ready to go.
  • Go on a litter scavenger hunt. Go to a local school or park and challenge everyone in your family to pick up as much trash as they can in 15 minutes. Compare results. What item did you find the most of? (For us: Juice box straw wrappers!)
  • Sign up for e-mail notifications from your child's school. Skip the backpack full of papers and get electronic versions of announcements instead. 

Leave a comment telling us what small steps you're taking to keep the earth green, and you will be entered to win a gift pack of 100 percent recycled paper goods from Marcal Small Steps! Contest closes Friday, April 23, 2010.

Marcal is committed to providing earth-friendly paper products at an affordable cost. Their line of 100 percent recycled paper products includes:

  • dinner napkins
  • facial tissues
  • paper towels
  • toilet paper

For more information, please visit www.marcalsmallsteps.com