Paper is renewable, as long as we renew it.

For our Paper Renewal Project this Earth Day, we're focusing on the idea that paper is a renewable resource because it can be replenished.

Remember, the goal here is to raise awareness, not to place judgment.

So, here are some paper facts surrounding the South Arbor Community.  Let us not be afraid of a little math here.

1) Every 2 weeks during the school year, the office purchases 16 boxes of printer paper.

2) Each box contains 10 reams of paper, with each ream containing 500 sheets of paper.

3) Because the school year is about 40 weeks long, that means the school purchases paper 20 times, for a total of 320 boxes, which is 3200 reams, which is also 1,600,000 sheets of paper.

4) Our school's enrollment is 836 students, meaning on average each student uses about 1900 sheets of paper, which is about 3.8 reams (almost 4 reams).

A class of 25 students would use, on average, about 100 reams of paper a year.  That's 10 boxes.

5) There are a few online calculators that help us get a better idea of the impact of our paper usage.  We consulted ReplantTrees.org.  It helped us to see that our yearly paper usage is equivalent to 19,200 pounds of paper, which requires 96 trees.  We learned that each tree can produce about 200 pounds of paper.

6) ReplantTrees.org is an organization that helps schools and businesses become 100% replanted by using our donations to replant trees in areas that have suffered deforestation.  This allows our school to responsibly use paper by replenishing it and truly consider paper to be renewable.  We're renewing it!  This planting project also provides much-needed jobs for local families (in this case, El Salvador in Central America).

7) As a culminating event, the Green Team will be using some of the funds that you helped to gather from the March 22 Dollar Jeans Day to fund this 100% replanted effort, as well as planting 2 fruit trees in the back schoolyard!  This fulfills several of the virtues that are displayed on the flags in the parking lot.

Wisdom, to replenish what we use.

Respect, for the limits of the earth.

Gratitude, for the availability of basic necessities, such as paper.

Self-control, in using only what we need and not more.

Perseverance, in working to do what's right.

Courage, to fund a non-traditional cause.

Encouragement, it feels good to do good together.

Compassion, on the earth's forests and on people who need employment.

Integrity, in truly making paper a renewable resource and thinking ahead to the future.

8) At our morning assembly on Earth Day, Monday, April 22, these facts were presented to the school community.  

Two pear trees symbolize our commitment to renewing the paper that we use each year and will be planted in the schoolyard near the evergreen trees.

9) Ninety-six students also received popsicle stick trees.  

They were asked to stand to get an idea of how many trees are required to produce the amount of paper that our school used this year.  

Paper is only a renewable resource if we replenish the trees we use!

The Green Team is pleased to raise awareness about paper renewal in an effort to encourage environmental responsibility.