Messiah College "Releafs" its paper consumption

Messiah College "Releafs" its paper consumption 

In October 2016, Messiah College Press began using a new software program, PrintReleaf, to calculate how many sheets of paper students and employees use each day on Messiah-owned printers and copiers. This information is used to certifiably reforest Messiah College's paper consumption—meaning that new trees are planted equivalent to the college's paper use at reforestation projects across the globe.

The information below is excerpted from PrintReleaf’s Higher Education Case Study:

Messiah College is a Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences. It enrolls 3,300 students, representing 38 states and 29 countries, and employs hundreds of staff and faculty members. Keeping the campus ahead of trends in “green” practices, the Sustainability department focuses on initiatives around energy, waste, biodiversity and food. Practices that are more visible include campus-grown produce; tending to chickens that provide daily eggs for use in cafeterias; composting; the use of native plants; demonstration gardens; and the creation of wildlife habitats. Less visible, but equally important, is the collection of copier toners and print cartridges, which are then recycled off site. Any savings earned from recycling is used to financially support further sustainability services on campus.

Messiah recycles nearly 25 tons of paper every year, is home to the nation’s fourth largest solar thermal system, and engages in best practices from sustainable sourcing to encouraging decision makers and budget approvers to recognize that environmental responsibility is just as important as fiscal responsibility.

The Challenge

Messiah’s campus is abundant with reverence towards environmentalism. Seeking new ways to innovate, Messiah administrators attended Toshiba’s 2016 LEAD conference to keep abreast of leading technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions. There, Messiah representatives learned of Toshiba’s partnership with PrintReleaf. Excited by the technology and impact, Messiah and Toshiba partnered to begin ‘releafing’ the campus’ printed paper consumption. The partnership is natural, as both Toshiba and Messiah have a continued commitment to sustainability with a like-minded goal of employing today’s technology to guide the way.

The impact

With controls already in place to print minimally and only when necessary, Messiah produces relatively low paper output. However, the campus is reassured in knowing that any printer output is reforested. Nearly five months into Messiah’s partnership with PrintReleaf, Messiah is reforesting an average of six trees per month in Madagascar, one of the most threatened ecosystems on the planet.

“Messiah College actively pursues partnerships with companies [like PrintReleaf] that offer innovative solutions and help us as we work to reduce our overall environmental footprint." - Dwayne Magee, director of Messiah College Press and Postal Services