About the Campaign

The City of Seattle has a history and reputation for being "green". The Mayor and City Council began issuing City policies back in the 1990s to help curb the City's paper waste. In Februrary, 2005, Mayor Greg Nickels issued an Executive Order, challenging City departments to reduce their paper consumption by 15% in 2005, and 30% in 2006. Additional information on the Executive Order and how progress will be measured can be found here.

The objective of the Papercuts campaign is to improve the environmental footprint and impact associated with the City’s purchase, use and recycling of printer and copier paper. Their three goals are:

1. To Reduce Overall Consumption of Paper
   
2. To Increase Purchase of Higher Post-Consumer, Processed Chlorine-Free Paper
   
3. To Optimize City Paper Recycling Rates

For more information on the campaign objectives and history, click here. You can also view a 2005 powerpoint presentation on the campaign.

City Paper Policies

This Executive Order directs City Departments to comply with related City policies:

• SMC 20.60.218 (2005) "Recycled Content Product Procurement Program"
  
  
• The Mayor's Environmental Action Agenda (2002) "Buying Green- Highlights"
  
  
• The Department of Information Technology (DOIT) Citywide Printing Policies (2002)
  
  
• Environmental Management System, Section 6.12 (2001) "Waste Reduction and Recycling"
  
  
• Seattle Solid Waste Comprehensive Management Plan, Chapter 9 (1998 and 2004 Update-in process) "The City's Own Solid Waste Practices"
  
  
• The 60% Recycling Plan (2003)