1

The earth is being constantly damaged by human activity and the environmental repercussions can no longer be ignored. While the global warming debate seems to have taken a political colour (with peoples own opinion divided more by their geographical location than actual logics), most earthlings still seem to appreciate benefits of resource conservation. Amongst other things one of the basic and ignored ways of containing global warming and as well as saving precious green resources is Conservation Of Paper. Apart from reduction in direct cutting of trees, indirect savings in terms of processing, distribution etc. would also be obtained. As we will further argue in our report, saving of paper can be achieved simply by being a bit more prudent in use. Awareness about the same seems to be present at the individual level, but bulk uses sometimes seem to ignore such measures. Through our two case studies we will try and address two such bulk uses. At the same time this report is not limited to these two small case studies but seeks to make all attempts to conserve paper by affecting decisions at an administrative/faculty level. It should also be ensured that any such change, if possible, should allow processes to become simpler allowing their smooth transition and acceptance by all relevant stakeholders.

Acknowledgement
This report is an outcome of combined efforts from many individuals whose support and hard work made this possible. We would duly like to acknowledge the support provided by NSS and their volunteers, who provided us all the samples for our Case Study I. We would also like to thank Equilibria (ILS), Pune for sharing their experience on paper conservation in their own campus. While its not possible to put every ones name here but a he artfelt- Thank You to all those who supported the cause.

Ankit Ratan & Ankit Gupta

Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

Contents
1. Why Paper? .......................................................................................................................................... 3 1.1 2. Paper Consumption Patterns and Statistics .................................................................................... 3

Past Learning ........................................................................................................................................ 5 2.1 Successful Paper Conservation Campaigns ................................................................................... 5 'Greening Princeton University' Campaign ............................................................................ 5 Environmental Defense Fund's (EDF) Paper Initiatives ........................................................ 5 'Change the Margins' Movement ............................................................................................ 5 Paper initiatives in India ......................................................................................................... 6 Monetary impact of reduction in paper consumption in various institutions ......................... 6

2.1.1 2.1.2 2.1.3 2.1.4 2.1.5 3.

CASE STUDY I: Examination Answer Scripts Usage Pattern ............................................................ 8 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Methodology .................................................................................................................................. 8 Data Analysis ................................................................................................................................. 8 Qualitative Analysis ..................................................................................................................... 17 Proposed Change ......................................................................................................................... 17

4.

CASE STUDY II: Digitization of Notes/Often Used Literature Resource ........................................ 19 4.1 The Suggested Model (DIGITIZATION): .................................................................................. 19 Sustainability ........................................................................................................................ 19

4.1.1 4.2

Analysis ....................................................................................................................................... 20 Business model flaws: .......................................................................................................... 20 Technical Flaws: ................................................................................................................... 20

4.2.1 4.2.2 4.3

What Alternative do we have? ..................................................................................................... 20 Reduce (Lean Management)................................................................................................. 21 Reuse and Recycle ................................................................................................................ 21 Sustainability ........................................................................................................................ 21

4.3.1 4.3.2 4.3.3 4.4

Proposed Model: Reuse ............................................................................................................... 22 Sustainability ........................................................................................................................ 22

4.4.1 5.

Recommendations ............................................................................................................................ 23

Annexure I ................................................................................................................................................. 24 Annexure II ................................................................................................................................................. 25

Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

1. Why Paper?
As has been already indicated saving paper is one of the ways to cut down environmental damage. Here we will try and build a case for the same through facts and statistics. A review of past actions in this direction follows up, which should act as an inspiration and also a guiding light.

1.

Forests store 50% of the world's terrestrial carbon. (In other words, they are crucially important "carbon sinks" that hold onto pollution that would otherwise lead to global warming.) Half the world's forests have already been cleared or burned, and 80% of what is left has been seriously degraded. 42% of the industrial wood harvest is used to make paper. The paper industry ranks 4th in contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, and contributes 9% of the manufacturing sectors carbon emissions Paper usage is rising by around 20% every year, with the average office worker using approximately 50 sheets of paper every day in the typical office. 40% of the solid mass in landfills is paper and paperboard waste Municipal landfills account for one third of human-related methane emissions (and methane is 23-times more potent a greenhouse gas than is carbon dioxide). More than 100 million trees are destroyed each year to produce junk mail. Recycling one ton of paper saves 682.5 gallons of oil (think about that next time youre standing at the pump). Compared to using virgin wood, paper made with 100% recycled content uses 44% less energy, produces 38% less greenhouse gas emissions, 41% less particulate emissions,50% less wastewater, 49%less solid waste and -- of course --100% less wood. Printing and writing papers use the least amount of recycled content just 6%. Tissues use the most, at 45%, and newsprint is not far behind, at 32%. (Source: A collaborative report by the Steering Committee of the Environmental Paper Network)

2.

3. 4.

5.

6.

7. 8.

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According to 2007-08 figures, the annual paper production in India was approximately 7-8 million tonnes. Considering the annual production to be 8 million tonnes/annum, and using U.S.

Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

4 Figures1 as a benchmark, the environmental impact of India's paper consumption may be extrapolated as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. Approx. 138 million trees, 450 sq. Miles (1165.5 sq. Km ) of forest, 440 billion litres of water, Net Energy equivalent to 3.4 billion litres of fuel.

According to The Economist (Magazine) survey, the paper industry in India is the 15th largest paper industry in the world. It contributes Rs 25 billion to the government's kitty. According to the Centre for Science and Environment in India (CSE), ... the voracious appetite for wood of this industry has been the single largest cause of deforestation in the country. (Source: http://www.cseindia.org/aboutus/press_releases/press_20040930.htm) Although most of the world is currently witnessing a reduction in paper consumption, India is showing growth. The demand for this growing market, posted 10% per capita growth in 2008. This yields per capita consumption of 8.3kg for 2008 versus 7.5kg for 2007. Meanwhile, the production is estimated to grow 7-8% over the next decade.

The following figures have been deduced according to U.S. Paper consumption patterns: 1. Total annual paper production = 24 million tonnes. 2. Cost of production = $34 billion. 3. Environmental impact = 415 million trees, 1350 sq. Miles of forest, 350 billion gallons of water
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Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

2. Past Learning
2.1.1 'Greening Princeton University' Campaign
In 2001-2002, interested Princeton students talked to the Purchasing Departments director about recycled paper and as a result incorporated the following strategies: Boise (recycled paper co.) reached an agreement with the Purchasing Department that if all Princeton departments switched to 100% pcw paper the price would come down significantly. After a review and a few meetings, the switch to recycled paper was successfully implemented in all departments. Presenting a reduction message first in tabling or brochure efforts around recycling paper. Student environmental groups also have a policy of printing their flyers on the backs of once-used paper. Setting printing cluster printers to default double-sided printing. Asking professors to announce that they prefer to receive their papers printed double-sided. Princeton and five other colleges across the country will put a new device to the test to determine if it can help reach the goal of a paperless society. The Kindle DX, a new purpose-built reading device, features a larger 9.7-inch electronic paper display, built-in PDF reader, auto-rotate capability, and storage for up to 3,500 books. While college administrators are eyeing the device as a means to serve both their budgets and the environment, Princeton is attempting to institute the device into the student population.

2.1.2 Environmental Defense Fund's (EDF) Paper Initiatives

From trimming paper use at Citigroup to helping catalog company Norm Thompson Outfitters switch to recycled content, the EDF is committed to reducing paper waste across the U.S. EDF's most effective tool in this regard is the Paper Calculator which is provided as a resource for companies to calculate the benefits of better paper choices and rack up environmental savings. More than 500 times each month, users like Random House, Staples, PepsiCo, Wells Fargo, Starbucks and even the Harry Potter franchise assess their paper purchases on the PaperCalculator.org site and introduce measures to reduce the wastage indicated.

2.1.3 'Change the Margins' Movement

According to a study done by the Penn State Green Destiny Council, reducing margins to .75 on all sides results in a total reduction of paper by 4.75%. This means that using these Efficient Margins on a ton of paper saves 19 reams of paper, which saves 1.14 trees. In 2003, the U.S. consumed approx. 5.4

Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

6 million tons of office paper. If everyone used Efficient Margins, every year it would save 6,156,000 trees and in a day could save up to $193 by rough calculation.

2.1.4 Paper initiatives in India

Learning Management System (LSM) software, being used worldwide, has now come to IIMBangalore and Christ University in the form of a software called Moodle which has transferred some classroom activity to online training, thus, vastly reducing paper usage. Students can now upload assignments online, have discussions in forums and check their marks online. Teachers can upload reading material, PowerPoint presentations and give students feedback. The IIMs, Goa University and Andhra University are among those at the vanguard of this revolution. Miranda House College, Delhi set up a recycling unit in the college campus to take care of the waste paper generated in the college. To enhance its social relevance, it was decide to train underprivileged women from slums to make recycled paper and value-added articles such as file covers, notepads, registers etc. Udgam School for Children has prepared a five-year plan to become the finest environmentfriendly school in the city. The school is using state-of-the-art-technologies to implement some innovative ideas to protect the environment. To minimize the use of paper, school has refrained from publishing any brochures or leaflets. Most of the internal communication is via e-mails. Their newsletter has gone online in order to cut down on paper and ink. Notices, circulars and photographs are flashed on the LCD monitor installed on the notice board. Entire admission procedures have also gone online. The AES School, Delhi campus generates 1,031 kilograms of waste per day (2009). Of this amount, 60% is recycled. The balance (40%) is removed to a certified landfill. In 2008/09, the Recycling Club recycled approximately 3000 kilos of paper. In addition, paper collection boxes have been placed at Gates for families to be able to drop off their own paper for recycling. The students pull out the single-sided papers that can be reused to give to Mobile Crche to use in the schools it supports. The double-sided papers are given to a representative in the Jhuggi, who then sells it for approximately 5 rupees/kilo. Thirty Delhi High Court officials did not go on a vacation this summer. Instead, they braved the dust from decades-old court files to save the Capitals trees. They sifted through voluminous court records some dating back to 30 years to weed out waste paper from the official files. The scrap, which comes to almost two tons every week, is then sent for recycling. The recycled paper is sold to colleges, schools and other institutions.

2.1.5 Monetary impact of reduction in paper consumption in various institutions

Case Study Bank of America: They made it optional to receive an ATM receipt. For customers who choose to get one, it is printed on 25 percent lighter weight paper. The reduction in paper weight alone saves Bank of America $500,000 every year.

Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

7 Avoiding printing unneeded reports results in a savings of 9 million pieces of paper a year, or 45 tons; paper savings alone is over $70,000 per year and savings in transport, handling, and storage multiply that amount. Increasingly reports that are needed are disseminated through the intranet. Case Study AT&T: Implementing the e-billing & e-receipts model resulted in savings to the tune of $14,031,000 (over 14 million) per year for AT&T over a 4 year period. AT&T demonstrated that for businesses the cost drops from an average of $17.00 per bill to $.03. Case Study University of Lethbridge: The University of Lethbridges Paper Recycling Program set a modest goal the reduction of waste paper on campus. The results speak for themselves. This past year the program saved the University $5,700 in landfill costs. Annually, 86,500 kilograms of paper and cardboard is transported to the City of Lethbridges recycling depot. That figure makes the U. of L. the largest institutional source of recycled paper in the city and among the leaders in Southern Alberta. What does the Universitys recycling program mean for the environment? 354,650 kilowatts of energy saved 2,335,500 liters of water saved 198.95 cubic meters of landfill space reduced 1,470.5 trees saved Case Study Quaker Oats: In Peterborough, Ontario, at the Quaker Oats Company of Canadas head office with 250 employees, a study aimed at finding ways of reducing the number of computer reports distributed throughout the office was conducted. The study's findings have resulted in the elimination of 500,000 pages (300 reports) a year, with a saving of $24,000 annually in paper costs. The company also encourages double-sided photocopying, which should result in an additional saving of $8-10,000 a year. Other than waste reduction, Quaker Oats also uses 100% recycled paper products in their offices for their photocopiers.

By surveying past actions we were able to get some ideas. Further we identified two areas of mass paper usage by students in our campus (as maybe the case in most institutions). One is class notes (including slides); the other is examination answer scripts. Thus further in our report we have focused on these two issues looking at different possibilities. While one involved survey and data collection (Case Study I) the other is more qualitative (Case Study II) with lesser inputs from primary data. Both studies should only encourage administration to cut down paper usage to minimal by carrying out scientific analysis. Its further documentation can then serve as an example to other institutions and thus create further good then just that would be visible.

Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

3. CASE STUDY I: Examination Answer

Scripts Usage Pattern

To fully understand the pattern of paper usage (in our case examination sheets), it is important to not only get a quantitative sample but also to understand the qualitative aspects and dynamics underlying the present usage. Thus to get an accurate data on the number of pages used, a representative sample becomes essential. We during our study have tried to ensure that the sample remains unbiased and covers different courses offered by various departments. A format for data collection was specified to maintain uniformity (Annexure I). This enormous task of data collection was carried out by NSS volunteers. We had arranged for collection of minor copies from course advisor themselves, thus we have been able to get views from different faculty. This has added to the richness of our study with us getting inputs from various stakeholders including the students. It was also important to understand the buying of minor copies, which has helped us in understanding the dynamics underlying in the institution and thus identify all stakeholders involved. Statistical Analysis of the data collected was carried out and has been included in the report (sec 3.2). Recommendations evolved out of the data analysis, these had to be streamlined based upon inputs from all stakeholders. Thus we have tried to ensure that we come up with solutions that are plausible and effective taking into account ground realities. It has also been our endeavor to document even the minutest detail and allow this study to be easily replicable but at the same time serve as a sound basis for judging paper usage.

For our analysis to be most generic, we surveyed minor examination sheets from 15 departments or centers (CHL, MEL, BEL, CEL, ITL, CSL, HUL, CYL, AML, PHL, MAL, EPL, RDL, SML, and TTL). Overall we analyzed as much as 2377 minor copies and to make our sample as unbiased as possible, we included every level of course in our study (like csl101, ttl744, epl342 etc), hence our sample contains under graduate as well post graduate courses. We had divided our analysis into two parts. In the first part we did a detailed department wise analysis, in which we tried to look at different trends emerging from different departments on sheets usage. Then in the second part we did our analysis for the overall big picture of sheets usage in which we tried looking at different aspects like how much % of students have used more than 12 sheets and what is the average usage of sheets per student per department.

Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

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Department

No. of exam sheets sampled 263 246

Chemical Mechanical

Average no. of pages used per student 7.4 8.6

No. of pages used by maximum no. of students 7 8

% of students who % of students who % of students who used 6, 7 or 8 used more than 10 used more than 12 pages in a sheet pages in a sheet pages in a sheet 44.1% 9.8% 0% 57.3% 10.5% 2%

Prof. Subodh Kumar Size of the standard answer script is not being fully utilized and hence should be reduced. Also some of the exams can be conducted online.

Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

10 10

Department

No. of exam sheets sampled 256 293

Civil Engineering Humanities

Average no. of pages used per student 8.9 7.2

No. of pages used by maximum no. of students 9 7

% of students who % of students who % of students who used 6, 7 or 8 used more than 10 used more than 12 pages in a sheet pages in a sheet pages in a sheet 41.4% 21.4% 7% 69.6% 4.4% 1%

Prof M.R Ravi There seems to be a clear case to cut the book size to 8 pages or 12 pages.

Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

11 11

Department

No. of exam sheets sampled 299 253

Applied Mechanics Mathematics

Average no. of pages used per student 9.4 10.7

No. of pages used by maximum no. of students 11 9

% of students who % of students who % of students who used 6, 7 or 8 used more than 10 used more than 12 pages in a sheet pages in a sheet pages in a sheet 36.1% 34.7% 12% 22.1% 46.6% 26.8%

Prof. Kanika Tondon Bhal Number of sheets in minor copies may be reduced. In any case there is a provision of supplementary sheets.

Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

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Department

No. of exam sheets sampled 133 102

Engineering Physics Chemistry

Average no. of pages used per student 9.7 9.8

No. of pages used by maximum no. of students 8 10

% of students who % of students who % of students who used 6, 7 or 8 used more than 10 used more than 12 pages in a sheet pages in a sheet pages in a sheet 33.8% 32.3% 10.5% 35.2% 31.3% 17.6%

Prof. Vignesh Ilavarasan Instead of two pages title sheet, one should be there.

Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

13 13

Department

No. of exam sheets sampled 121 174

Computer Science Biotechnology

Average no. of pages used per student 8.5 8.2

No. of pages used by maximum no. of students 7 7

% of students who % of students who % of students who used 6, 7 or 8 used more than 10 used more than 12 pages in a sheet pages in a sheet pages in a sheet 49.5% 17.3% 8.2% 48.2% 16% 6.3%

Prof. Munawar A. Shaik Lot of pages usually go waste. The booklet size may be reduced to 5 for minors and additional booklets can be provided if required. Keep booklet of 10 pages for majors.

Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

14 14

Department

No. of exam sheets sampled 93 87

Management Studies Textile

Average no. of pages used per student 10.3 7.8

No. of pages used by maximum no. of students 11 7

% of students who % of students who % of students who used 6, 7 or 8 used more than 10 used more than 12 pages in a sheet pages in a sheet pages in a sheet 20.4% 45.1% 16.1% 60% 10.3% 3.4%

Prof. S.V Modak A system should be evolved and set to collect useless papers from every faculty/staff/offices etc. so that they can be recycled. Then they can be used for notices, circulars etc and then many useless paper that come out in the form of question papers, assignments, reports etc can be utilized. If it is done then it will be a great service. Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

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No. of exam sheets sampled 2377

Average no. of pages used per student 8.8

No. of pages used by maximum no. of students 7

% of students who % of students who % of students who used 6, 7 or 8 used more than 10 used more than 12 pages in a sheet pages in a sheet pages in a sheet 42.6% 23.3% 9%

Prof Saroj Kaushik I generally prefer answers to be given on question papers in the space provided as it saves checking time and also lots of paper saving. Prof. B. Bhattacharya I think that old practice of using around 8 pages was less wasteful. Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

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Graph Average no. of pages used per student % of students who used more than 12 pages in a sheet

Maximum 10.7 (MAL) 26.8% (MAL)

Minimum 7.2 (HUL) 0% (CHL)

Overall Average 8.8 9%

Prof. P.R. Panda I agree with the premise that we are wasting a lot of paper by having too many pages in answer scripts. I look forward to the results and decisions taken in this regard.

Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

17

Average no. of pages used per student lies in the range from 7.2 to 10.7 whereas overall average is 8.8. This is out of the minor sheet which contains 20 pages in which the first 2 pages can also not be utilized by students; this means that an average of 8.8 means an effective usage of 6.8 pages per minor sheet out of 18 effective pages which accounts for 37.7% utilization of provided no. of pages. No. of pages used by maximum no. of students ranges from 7 pages to 11 pages where in the overall analysis we found that 7 is the dominant no. for whole analysis. % of students who used more than 12 pages in a sheet ranges from 0% to 26.8% where in overall analysis only 9% students used more than 12 pages in the answer script. % of students who used more than 10 pages in a sheet ranges from 4.4% to 46.6% while in overall analysis only 23.3% students used more than 10 pages in the answer script. The average no. of pages used per student is maximum for MAL (Mathematics) courses and is minimum in the case of HUL (Humanities) courses. This leads us to infer that mathematical courses which requires more calculation based questions requires more pages where as in subjective courses where you have to discuss your opinion more as compare to calculation based approach, requires lesser no. of pages. The % of students who used more than 12 pages or more than 10 pages in a sheet showed the same trend as above, where MAL courses scored highest and HUL courses are one of the minimum scorers.

The effective page use is 6.8 and number of students using more than 10 pages is 23.3%. Thus if we are able to modify the minor answer scripts in a manner such that the first 2 pages become usable , then this may lead to very high saving( with only 23.3% affected). As the current script has 20 pages, it can be estimated that the total savings would be around 56%. Thus two modifications need to be made: The first page should only be half utilized for filling in data from a student. This can be similar to supplementary sheets. The number of pages in a minor answer script should be reduced to 8. Furthermore, as usage pattern has already been mapped, two sets of sheet can be created one with 12 pages. These can be taken by faculty (if they feel 8 pages are too few), as they would have a good idea about usage.

Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

18 The savings and benefits from the change have been enumerated below by a rough estimation of basic data.
Weight of a minor copy (in gm) % pages wasted in a copy (from sample data) Hence paper wasted/copy (in gm) Total no. of copies used in each minor (data from central store IIT Delhi) Total no. of minors/year Cost of a minor copy (in Rs.) Money wasted/year (in Rs.) Total paper wasted/year (in kg) Trees needed to be cut/production of 1 tonne of paper Total trees needed to be cut for waste/year Electricity needed for production/tonne of paper (KWh) Electricity wasted/year (KWh) Amount of CO2, a tree absorbs in a year (in kg) Average tree life (in years) Effective life (assuming tree to be cut at an age of 15 years) Total CO2 that could be removed from atmosphere in remaining lifetime/tree (in kg) Loss of C02 sequestration/year (in tonnes) 37.63 56 21.07 18000 4 2.74 110476.82 1517.24 17 25.8 2 3.03 22 40 25 550 14.18

The number of minor sheets and their price data is from 2009 (The current prices would be higher). Other data sources are from the internet.

The authors of the report feel that there is no substantial reason for not carrying out the propose change. Further this is well supported by faculty as well as students, thus any backlash from them is not accepted. Any further delay in this change is only a loss of the institution and the environment.

The money wasted might be an exaggeration as the cost of the copy would largely include printing. A more reasonable figure might be Rs. 50,000(but even this is substantial)
2

Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

19

4. CASE STUDY II: Digitization of

Notes/Often Used Literature Resource
The object of the study is to analyze any measure (under proposed changes) from the viewpoint of lean management and sustainability. The broader goal is to reduce consumption of resources which cause global warming and environment pollution. Digitizing of notes involves scanning of the resource (notes, slides, standard referred text etc.) and then storing them in a database which can be made accessible as per need basis. Resources required are: Scanning machine and computer Workers willing to spend time and labor in scanning The resource to be digitized
The case study is based upon business models to reduce the financial burden and wastage of resources which occurs due to photocopying of the same notes and standard literature year after year. We have analyzed a proposed business model based upon digitization. On the other hand there have been other measures like Phokatcopy (which allow photocopying almost free of cost) but as wastage of resources is a waterline they dont seem to cross, we have excluded their comparison from our study.

An organization would through volunteers (students around 25, assuming a total strength of 3000 students) help scan all such relevant resources. As many students require the resource and also possess the relevant resource obtaining both providers of resource and then customers for the digitized database would not be tough. Some investment would be needed for the scanner. Once all resources are feeded in the database the number of volunteers can go down to 2 gatekeepers and 2 volunteers who scan any new resource that comes up (Proposed time =>1 year). By such a move the paper wasted each year in getting notes photocopied will be reduced to almost zero. Thus it will ensure lesser cutting of trees.

4.1.1 Sustainability
As students already spend around 500 Rs. each year to get these resources a nominal sum of 50 Rs. can be taken from each student who wants digitized notes. The funds generated from around 1500 students would be sufficient to repay the initial investment in scanner and also provide incentives for volunteers. Once all resources are captured in the database, the incentives required would be lesser as only 4 members can be left to operate. The fee can be reduced as per demand and still the model should easily have a payback of less than 1 year.

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20

4.2.1 Business model flaws:

Any digitized resource cannot be ensured to be only accessible as per the providers wish. Such an attempt would require online streaming and securing of ports another investment which would erode any such gains from the model. Even if it works the students who scan the notes are not paid employees and them sourcing out the material for their gains or even for friends cannot be ensured.

4.2.2 Technical Flaws:

The effects to global warming were not mapped. On a basic analysis, the gains due to lesser tree cutting and thus assumption of more carbon sequestering were pretty much neutralized by subsequent use of computer needed for viewing these digital resources (Annexure II). (Further as India uses bagasse for most of its paper production, the carbon sequestering calculations from tree based paper are an over estimation.) In fact as the model provides for a nominal fee and does not restrict the amount of resources that can be accessed; inherently it encourages more viewership of notes and freer flow of information. While this is very good (and in fact maybe the greatest achievement of the model.), it compounds the above effect. In normal case more photocopying is discouraged as one has to pay and hence only relevant photocopying is done. Thus the model completely fails on the most important frontier of being green. Another unforeseen situation is the case when people use both. As large part of the students use reading rooms, library and ex- hall for studying purposes, they would also want to get notes photocopied. Plus lot of the students bring such notes to write class notes on the same basic slides (notes). Thus the gains that might have come out of reducing photocopying to bare minimum and thus saving electricity would not be as substantial. Above will also be true in all cases where students dont possess computers or dont enjoy reading on them. No measures were suggested in terms of lean management thus failure in complying to lean. Another unrelated negative is the harm caused to eyes. The negative effects of computer usage are well documented in literature. Hence digitizing is not the best solution from a public health point of view.

Its time to go to the basics of REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE. In fact its surprising that lean management has not even been thought of which in any case would have reduced resources. Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

21

4.3.1 Reduce (Lean Management)

While there can be many innovative ways to go lean while trying to save paper. Some very basic and generalized ones are: In printing always use minimum borders. Official documentation work would have to vary their parameters. Alternatively using smaller dimensions in photocopying/printing. Use lesser GSM paper than current. (In fact a model can be created in the same giving customer incentive to ask for lesser GSM and also the point above.) Printing and scanning on both sides is a no brainer. But it has been seen that while its great incentive for the photocopier; He on the demand of customer or lack of time does not follow the same. Thus a model where using both sides of paper could be an incentive for students can be worked out (this would require IIT to de regularize price and allow it to be varied as per demand and supply).

4.3.2 Reuse and Recycle3

Simply saying there should be more recycling and seniors should pass notes to the juniors is no model. But the above, not only offers a model but a model sounder than the one proposed to digitize. Every year students almost spend close to 500 Rs. for photocopying notes. Which are in most cases same as in previous years. Thus a model which utilizes transfer of notes from seniors to juniors and ensures a 100% collection and distribution should be able to save tremendous resources.

Summary of a model currently under implementation in a Pune College:

The end of a session( in case of semester each semester) is utilized to collect all notes possible, this can simply be done by placing cardboard boxes similar to for exam paper collection. Alternatively notes can be sorted from the trash left by students each year. This can use either student volunteers or hostel staff. In both cases an incentive will be required. These notes than can be offered to students each new session who would not have to get new photocopies thus ensuring reuse , even those few who wish to get brand new notes will aid us as they would then increase our collection. The notes are recollected back ensuring they are complete and then the cycle continues. Workers would be needed initially in large numbers but once collection has grown ( assumption 2 years) there would be need of only 4-5 workers who would do the paperwork something like a librarian even a tie up with the central library is possible on this count with sharing of the gained funds.

4.3.3 Sustainability
The membership requires students to submit Rs. 500 initially; this amount will be refunded after each session with a deduction of 50 Rs. Any missing portions in notes will be ascertained by recipient of the
3 Thankfully in IIT hostels even the papers thrown away are sent for recycling due to a strong presence of kabadiwala. Even academic departments (at least some of them) have a mechanism to dispose of paper for recycling. On this account recycling doesnt really need a push on campus. If at all more awareness can lead to students/departments selling directly to kabadiwala and hence earning something in return

Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

22 notes in next session. Thus would not need extra manpower to check if notes are still in shape. If any of the notes are found missing or mishandled a fine could be imposed depending on the degree( this can be deducted from the money submitted). This would generate funds not only with the 50 Rs. (Which hopefully covers the operational cost) but the interest generated from the money deposited for the one year period can be used to include other sources too. While this model be suitable for a college with set courses and fewer courses and departments, like a law college. It might not work as smoothly in IIT Delhi. Hence we have proposed a model below which might better suit needs of our students and fit better into our system. The benefits gained from both the models would be similar.

The basic area where we feel there would be some problems is collection of class slides and their segregation. This can be done in a much ordered fashion by making active use of faculty. If each course advisor can hand over the slides to students himself (and then take them back at the end of the course) then it will solve many of the problems of the above model. First it would remove the requirement of a centralized system and also ensure better segregation of slides. Second there will be a built in accountability of students. Thus damage to notes would be lesser.

4.4.1 Sustainability
This is the tricky part in this system as decentralization reduces the scope for a business model. In any case one of the ways to achieve it is by assigning volunteers to each faculty, who on behalf of the faculty would carry out the function as above. These volunteers than can be part of a centralized system. Students would need to register in the system as in the case above, thus sustainability can be ensured. Fee, fines and deductions can be worked out as per our college but the basic idea remains the same. This hence borrows the goods of the above system and a further involvement of faculty acting as resource points allows us to disseminate resources more efficiently. The damages cane be recovered by the fee generated and the cycle will hence continue. There is enough incentive, within the model, to students in terms of money and also a one stop destination for notes. Thus it reduces wastage of time, money and effort. The plan can also after a while include class notes if the demand increases. Further it has no public health problems and as no new adaption to technology has to take pace the acceptance should be high. It does involve complicated management issues, which would exist in any other model too.

The authors of this report feel that this model is a better choice on many counts as explained above. In any case its a very preliminary study and before an institute level decision is made the pros and cons should be well verified with a detailed study.

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5. Recommendations
There is a very strong case for reduction in number of pages in examination sheet. If the proposed change under case study I is carried out the benefits would only be magnified. As there is a financial incentive to the implementation, we can see no reason as to why such a change should not be carried out. Digitizing of notes at present and in our basic analysis (Case Study II) doesnt seem to be a good option. It does harm to eyes and further is not as green as made out to be. It might be a better option in the future when large part of the electricity is obtained from renewable or green resources. At the same time standard text books and papers should be digitized for ease of access and their bulk volume. On the other hand class notes should be in the form they currently are and if the proposed model in Case study II can be implemented even the paper wastage can be reduced. It is pretty evident that a large number of magazines (by various department and boards) printed in the institute go wasted. Furthermore no option is given to the user to obtain them in a soft form (which might be preferred by many). Thus all departments and boards getting funds from the institute or otherwise should be directed to estimate the wastage in number of copies and also make them available in soft form which might lead to more savings( this would require a database of students and faculty who would want soft copy and hence some added work). But there is no doubt that costs borne by the institute would decrease substantially as printing of each magazine is expensive. Paper saving might even be higher than those calculated in Case Study I. A visible wastage of paper in the institute are the large number of posters that are put up during various fests (whose numbers have increased exponentially) and otherwise. While directives to minimal use are always given, they seemed to have made little impact. Further posters on walls doors etc., deface structures (like falling of paint from walls). One way to make double impact is by limiting poster putting to very limited areas. By defining areas it will directly lead to lesser posters (hence less paper usage). Many organizations have come up with online notice boards thus problem of communication might not be faced. An administrative order might be sufficient to ensure such a change. There can be a number of administrative/faculty directive that can directly lead to paper saving. Reducing margins (as has been shown under Past learning) can lead to lot of saving. Thus a directive to this effect by the faculty, for project submission, official letters etc. and also among inter department official work, would definitely lead to a lot of saving. It is noticed that to increase the number of pages in a report students tend to print the only one-sided, this leads to a lot of wastage. A simple directive by faculty to students regarding font, two-sided printed sheet and margins can again save substantial amounts of paper. Paper is required for various activities on campus under official work. A simple clause which ensures that all such use is of recycled paper would in effect make all such paperwork greener. Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View

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Annexure I
Pages used below 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 total

Average: Course:

Above 12: Total Class Strength:

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Annexure II
The following is a comparison of digital notes and photocopied notes and their estimated carbon footprint.
CALCULATING ELECTRIC CONSUMPTION IN COMPUTERS Estimated energy consumption while reading on a desktop( watts) Estimated energy consumption while reading on a laptop( watts) Estimated time spent reading one page ( assuming both sides thus 2 on screen) in hours( in its lifetime)4 Estimated total energy usage per page in desktop ( KWh) Estimated total energy usage per page in laptop ( KWh) Thus total estimated emissions per 1000 page due to electricity used in desktop in tonnes of CO2 Thus total estimated emissions per 1000 page due to electricity used in laptop in tonnes of CO2 80 35 2 0.16 0.07 0.1311765 0.05739

Below is a comparison of trees that would be saved by digitizing and then a subsequent calculation of CO2 sequestered. Here we have assumed that the photocopy is on one side. Therefore if 2-sided photocopying is being done the figures below would be half.
Weight of 1 page in grams Paper consumption for 1000 sheets (in kg) Trees to be cut down for 1000 sheets CO2 Removed in lifetime in tonnes 4.772 4.772 0.081124 0.071389

(further as in previous case study the electric energy consumption is minimal , the photocopying machine (as per an estimation by the library shop) takes about 1.6 KWh per 1000 pages this added to previous figures give 3.6 KWh hence can be neglected in above.) As could be seen from above, the figures are comparable. Further in double sided photocopying which is usually done, digitizing no longer remains a green option at least from a global warming point of view. Source: the above figures are based on sources from internet, and are meant to give an estimated picture. The weight is a primary data.

This time includes the entire time spent during the semester to read that particular page hence it seems to be a reasonable estimation.

The CO2 emission is based on current carbon footprint of electricity generation in India. Thermal power still constitutes large part of total power generation, and this percentage is likely to increase in the near future. At the same time recent government policies indicate a push towards renewable sources of energy in the long run and thus it can be expected that electricity can be generated in a green manner only after some years. At that time computers might become the greener option.

Paper Usage Pattern: A Green Eye View