Who knew photocopies could create such a large carbon footprint?
As part of the Upper Grand District School Board’s pursuit of energy savings opportunities to combat increasing utility costs and reduce its overall carbon footprint, a study was done to look at the carbon footprint generated by the lowly photocopier.
A case study was completed on the total cost of photocopying in the board from January 2009 to January 2010.
The board and its schools generated more than 47 million photocopies during that time.
Based on the standard 8.5- by 11-inch paper, that amount of photocopies would stretch from Guelph to Cape Town South Africa – a distance of 31,200 km.
The result was that a Newsletter was sent to schools showing the analysis of the project and provides suggestions on how to limit consumption levels so schools can become more sustainable.
