1.  Purchase durable, standardized, repairable, and re-useable products.
It is important to look for products that are of durable design, easily repairable, and potentially re-useable. In addition, products should be easily recycled once their useful life ends. Universities may need to develop special procurement guidelines in order to give greater emphasis to such criteria. This may involve university-wide policy or management decisions.
The Chancellor's Recycling Task Force at the University of Colorado recommends purchasing furniture made from durable, recyclable materials, and allows the university to pay up to 10% more for these products if necessary.

2. Reduce the amount of food waste generated.
Food waste can make up a sizable portion of a university's waste stream. Much of the food is simply thrown out because it is not wanted. Significant opportunities exist to reduce the amount of food waste generated.
Switching to an ala carte meal program encourages patrons to consider how much food they will eat, rather than taking too much simply because "it's paid for."

3. Reduce landscape waste.
While landscaping waste - grass clippings, leaves, and woody waste such as prunings and stumps - can be mulched or composted, an easier solution to the problem of landscape waste is to reduce it at the source. By practicing xeriscaping, "grasscycling," and the wise application of fertilizer, universities can reduce the amount of landscape waste generated.
Xeriscaping is the practice of growing drought-tolerant plants. While promoted as a water conservation measure, xeriscaping can include selecting varieties of grass which require minimal water, and planning native shrubs and trees instead of imported species.

4. Encourage double-sided copying and the purchase of duplex copiers.
Making copies that use both sides of copy paper can save both paper and money. Double-sided copying is more convenient when using copy machines with "duplex" capability. Such machines cost more than copiers without duplex capability, but the extra cost may be quickly recovered in paper savings. An effective method for promoting duplex capability is to develop a procurement guideline for replacing of old or defective copy machines.

5. Reduce the amount of junk mail sent to campus.
Junk mail - or mail which is mass distributed at reduced postal rates - includes catalogues, advertisements, and solicitations. Students and faculty alike attract a tremendous volume of junk mail, much of which is never read and only burdens the university postal service and the local landfill.

6. Reduce junk mail generated on campus.
At most universities, there is a large volume of campus communications, including interdepartmental memos, meeting announcements, reports, etc. Much of this is often unwanted and unread, and is a form of campus junk mail. It is important not to ignore this potential waste reduction arena when considering unwanted mail delivered by the post office. Systems that avoid "paper redundancy" can have a strong impact on waste reduction.

7. Increase the use of electronic mail and voice mail.
Universities can easily lessen the "paper storm" by taking advantage of campus computer and telephone systems. By substituting electronic mail ("e-mail") for paper communication, the volume of paper circulated can be reduced. Voice mail systems also reduce paper, not to mention save time. E-mail and voice mail systems may also be interlinked for even greater efficiencies.
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