While schools have been shifting towards digital platforms and resources for years, the conservation of paper has been a more pressing issue this year.

Although many assignments and textbooks have gone digital, especially since the pandemic, paper is still unbelievably important for a lot of classes. No one wants to do their math homework on a computer where they can’t write equations in the margins, and I think most of us would lose our minds if we had to do our chemistry packets on a website. From personal experience, there’s been less paper given to me this year. 

When I asked a few of my teachers about the lack of paper-based assignments, I got mixed responses. Some said there are fewer pages they’re allowed to give us for study materials.

This leaves us with a few options for printing out our own work. For upperclassmen, Block 4, and for underclassmen, Block 3 in the Media Center, there appears to be plenty of time and availability for printing. However, this creates a new responsibility for students. 

Between meetings, socializing, classes, and, for seniors, the desire to leave for open-block, there has to be more time awareness. It’s now, occasionally, up to students to print out class materials. Even though it might not seem like a big issue for students to manage their time better, the mandatory scheduling makes it more difficult. Besides the challenges this brings, the paper shortage in most classrooms is mainly being addressed by teachers in a variety of creative ways.

Regardless, excessive paper usage isn’t good for the environment, and it is important to try to reduce waste where we can. Since the paper is already made, the least we can do when using the paper supply is to recycle to avoid adding to the school’s carbon footprint.