Managing Paper
I consider paper to be clutter, especially when it is unsolicited. But we must deal with a certain amount of paper on a daily basis. Here are a few ways to keep from getting overwhelmed:
Filing
- Setting up and maintaining a simple, effective filing system saves an untold amount of time because you know exactly where to find items you need.
- If you are a visual person, consider using different colors of file folders for different categories.
- Prevent eye strain by using the same file tab for one category. For example, use the left tab on orange files containing potential clients and the paperwork associated with each one.
- Don’t over-categorize or get too detailed – it’s too much to remember. If you must have large quantities of files, make a one-page list of your files and where they are.
- Keep frequently used files within arm’s length of your desk chair.
Store less-used files farther away. If you must archive files for a certain number of years, consider putting them in storage.
- If reports, statements, etc. can easily be found online, don’t keep paper copies.
- File ongoing projects in a hanging file. At the end of the day, deposit work into that file, clearing your desk. Make a list of projects and work to be done the next day, so it is not forgotten or overlooked.
- Keep a “pending” file for those items without closure. Set aside specified time to file so it doesn’t get out of hand. Multi-task by filing when you are on hold or when having a casual conversation or when your brain needs a mental break.
Mail, Bills and Banking
- Deal with mail when you receive it – RSVP, file it, toss it, pay it, recycle it, shred it, etc.
Try to touch it only once.
- Have one place where you keep your unpaid bills in the order in which they need to be paid.
- Do your bill-paying and banking online whenever possible, reducing time and paper clutter. It is not necessary to keep bills once they are paid, if they are not needed for taxes. Keep the last one, so you have a handy record of your account number in case you need it.
- Get checks that make a duplicate each time you write a check, so you don’t have to record it in the check register.
- Have one place where you keep items that need attention (school papers that need to be signed, invitations, directions, etc.) – a central hub. Consider having a section for each family member to house their important papers.
Reduce the Paper Coming into your Home or Office
- When you receive a new catalog or magazine, recycle or give away the old one. If you don’t have time to read the periodicals or newspapers you are receiving, cancel your subscription.
- If there is an article you want to keep, tear it out and slip it into a page protector in a designated binder. Then toss the magazine or newspaper. If you place a piece of paper in the page protector, you’ll be able to use both sides. If necessary, create different binders for the categories that interest you. Your material will be nicely categorized and easy to find, rather than leafing through piles of magazines.
- Ask to be removed from mailing lists. The following allow you to opt out of unwanted catalogs, phone books, and credit card offers:
- Catalog Choice (catalogchoice.org/)
- Yellow Pages Goes Green (yellowpagesgoesgreen.org/stop-yellow-pages/)
- Opt Out Prescreen (optoutprescreen.com).
Even though life is filled with paper, you can prevent it from overwhelming you by handling it quickly and efficiently.
Beverly Coggins is an organizing expert, speaker, and author of the 1-2-3 Get Organized series. She also writes a daily blog on organizing your office, time, and home. Contact information: 330-922-0755.
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Recycling Paper
Paper recycling is the process when waste paper is changed into new useable paper. Recycling is also a good practice in the community. To recycle paper takes less energy that to produce new paper. Early Recycling Recycling has been a common practice, with a record advocates as far a Plato in 400 BC. When resources were scarce, the ancient waste dumps show less household waste- implying that more waste was recycled in the absence of new material. Recycling became a commercial proposition since Mattias Koop established a Neckinger Mill in 1826 which produced white paper from waste paper.
Why Recycling Paper is good – Recycling paper reduces waste in communities. -Less pollution in the environment promoting a better and clean environment. -Less energy is used to recycle than to make a new paper. -Helps in the process were plants and animals depend to each other (Eco-system).
-Conserves resources -Reduces the need of new landfills and incinerators – Stimulates the growth of greener technology
How Paper is Recycled – The first task is to collect papers from the bins or even from the dumping. Adding hot water to the papers and applying a mechanical action to separate the fibers. Screening is done to remove any contaminates larger than the fibers. Centrifugal cleaning. Flotation is when the foam is removed the pulp is made brighter. Kneading or dispersion Washing to remove unwanted small particles. Beaching, using peroxide to remove the color from the pulp.
Before the true Paper was invented in China people used many kinds of papers which were:
Stone - Egyptians chiseled hieroglyphics on stones
Bricks - Babylonians incised letters into soft clay and baked tablets
Metals - Romans stamped letters metals
Vegetation - Writing on palms and other trees
Bark - Symbols were written on thee bark of white birch in North America
Wood
Parchment - Parchment is like a sheet made from sheeps skin.
They spitted the skin and used the inner for parchment.
Vellum -Vellum was from calfs skin and made the some as parchment.
Papyrus - Papyrus was made from an aquatic plant. The word paper was derived from Papyrus.
Recycling is really a good practice in the community. It shows that it is not craze of modern society, but it shows our inner desire to do more with less.
Shepherd works for the web site http://www.how-to-make-paper.com
Paper Recycling
Paper recycling is another form of recycling which is mostly preferred by many people. This type of recycling I done when the paper which is mostly used by people had been wasted and then that paper is used to make different products of new form. On the other hand through this the new paper products can also be made and other types of products are also made as well. The paper Waste can be used in many different forms for consumers. Paper can also be used for the purpose of mill recycling and in that type of recycling the waste paper that had been kept on using is recycled which in turn is transferred to the mill industry.
However another type of paper recycling is referred to as the pre consumer waste. In this type of recycling all the waste which had been left over by the consumers and even by the paper mill factory is sued up and this type of waste had been discarded by both the paper mill and by the consumers as well.
The third form is the post consumers. This is the type of waste which had been left after the consumers had used those specific products and then these all can be used by the recycling company to form new products of new shape. The paper which had been formed in a new shape may not be like the actual paper and thus the quality may also not be the same.
Scrap paper is the paper which is mostly used for the purpose of paper recycling and it is considered to be the most suitable form of paper. On the other hand deinking is found to be the process of removing the ink from the paper and the in return that paper can be used for the purpose of recycling. When the recycling process for the paper is being going on then this means that the energy process is being lessened up and more power is used in it as well.
The energy is being reduced by 40% which is the claim by the energy information administration and it is considered to be an authoritative one. Recycling paper can also be used up in the making of pulp which in return would require more consumption of the fossil fuels.
Through the paper recycling the pollution both the environmental and the air pollution is reduced and hence the environment is made safe and healthy where people can live easily. the recycling process began after a longer time period and till now it is in use by most of the companies and even some of them is also gaining success in it too. It has been found out that paper recycling is taking place in Europe, United States of America, Japan and Mexico. It was first of all practiced in all of these areas and even recycling is taking place to a greater extent in all these countries as well. Paper recycling is hence considered to be an important piece of work.
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