Use the following ideas to reduce the environmental impact of your writing and save a lot of money in the process.
Paper
- Forget buying paper. That is so expensive! Instead, turn to the fax machine and photocopier at the day job. I have been able to collect reams of half-used, high-quality paper that would otherwise be thrown in the recycling bin. I simply stack the “wasted” sheets in a pile on my desk, using them in the meantime for notes and messages, and when the stack gets high enough (or too high as is often the case), I take the sheets home. If your office already prints double-sided, it will take you longer to build a stack, but you’ll still form one surprisingly quickly. This has been so successful for me that I haven’t had to buy any paper in at least five years (that’s about the amount of time I have owned a computer) and I use a lot of paper.
- Recycle your completely used paper. I keep a plastic box for this purpose tucked beneath my desk at the back where my feet won’t hit it. It’s out of sight yet still convenient.
- Conduct critique sessions over email. There are several options to track changes or add comments and notes in documents without needing to print them.
- Use your old editing notes and earlier WIP versions as packing material. Either bunch it up or run sheets through the shredder and stuff away.
- Add your shredded documents to the compost during the summer months when the amount of “green” materials like grass clippings tends to be high and the amount of “brown” material like dry leaves is in short supply. A good compost has a robust mix of both green and brown.
Printing
- Print everything (except the writing you send to agents and editors) on paper that has only been used on one side.
- Set your printing quality to “Draft.” Make sure you use normal print quality when sending to editors and agents. It is also courteous to use the normal print quality on scenes you give to critique partners.
- Recycle or refill your printer cartridges. Some companies will even give you a ream of paper for returning the cartridge. This is another reason why I haven’t had to buy any new paper. I received three or four reams for free when I turned in old printer cartridges we had lying around the house.
Your Writing Space
- The next time your office light bulb burns out, replace it with a compact fluorescent. While the initial cost is higher than incandescent bulbs, you will save an enormous amount of energy and money over time. Watch for discount coupons from BC Hydro.
- Turn off your computer, monitor, speakers, printer, and anything else attached to your computer when you’re not using it. As a backup, set the computer to go into sleep mode after a set amount of time being idle.
- Unplug the adapters when not charging your cell phone, iPod, laptop or anything similar. Even though you’re not charging your devices, they draw power, which you pay for and which adds up over the year.
- Effective August 1, 2007, it is illegal in BC to dispose of your computer and electronics at the landfill. Find an appropriate location to have it recycled. Encorp Pacific has details.
- For many more tips to save energy throughout your home, read the Greater Vancouver Regional District’s guide, “2007/08 Home Changes.”
Celebrating Your Spirit
- Choose alternate commuting methods. Biking and walking provide exercise, necessary to rejuvenate both body and mind (see Mary J. Forbes’s article “Writers, Don’t Forget to Exercise”). Taking the bus instead of driving to work every day reduces emissions. Use the time on transit to write, brainstorm your WIP, or catch up on your favourite author. Spotlight Editor Ellen Johnson creates this newsletter during her workweek bus ride. Carpooling? Brainstorm story ideas with your partner.
- Buy your fruit and veggies from the local farmers’ market. Click here for the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets Directory. Not only will you support local business, you’ll be inspired and delighted by the atmosphere, handcrafted jewellery and homemade goodies. Remember to bring your notebook so you can jot down choice bits of conversation.
- Indulge in fair trade organic chocolate. Try Dark Chocolate with Deep Forest Mint by Endangered Species Chocolate.
- Toast yourself with an organic Chardonnay or Pinot Noir from the Summerhill Pyramid Winery in Kelowna.
- Get the juices flowing in the morning with a strong cup of Kick Ass Dark, my favourite organic, fair trade roast from Kicking Horse Coffee in Invermere, BC.
Changing your writing habits will take time, but given the right incentives (wine, chocolate?) can be a very rewarding experience.
When not printing out her latest romantic suspense on half-used office paper and rewarding herself with copious amounts of organic, fair trade chocolate, Erin cycles to her day job at UNBC, Canada’s Green University in Prince George. She is also trying to work up the courage to cycle through the winter.
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