Materials Performance

Annual Materials Consumption

The Annual Materials Consumptions graph shows our annual A4 equivalent paper consumption in reams, for the years 2016 to 2020.  Since 2012 the majority of the University's paper has contained 100% recycled content. It also shows that paper consumption overall has been declining each year from 85,423 reams in 2010 to 26,123 reams in 2018, which represents a 69% reduction in total.

View the Annual Materials Consumption Graph

What sorts of paper do we use?

  • Plantation paper  1% -Used for specific printing needs such as cards and brochures
  • Less than 100% recycled paper 0% - La Trobe University moved to 100% recycled in 2017
  • 100% recycled paper 99%  - used for all basic office and student printing

*based on our 2020 performance

What can you do to reduce your paper usage at La Trobe?

  • Think before you print
  • Read from a second monitor or tablet
  • Write on scrap paper

What can you do to reduce your paper usage at home?

  • Read from a tablet or purchase second-hand books
  • Use eco-friendly toilet paper
  • Use rags instead of paper towels
  • Avoid using paper plates
  • Purchase bulk foods using reusable containers instead of boxed goods

Our contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

We have continued to reduce or paper usage over the past 10 years and increased our use of recycled paper to 98%. This ensures the protection of forests and the wildlife that inhabit them.

It helps us contribute to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

UN sustainability development Goal 12 responsible consumption and production UN sustainability development Goal 15 Life on Land