(Name of Organization) Takes on a 1-Day Paper Fast

Draft Press Release

For Immediate ReleaseContact:

May XX, 2013

(name of organization) Takes on a 1-Day Paper Fast

8-hours of awareness to bring attention to the daily environmental costs of using paper.

(Location) name of organization, like medical facilities across the world, relies on paper to record and store medical records, provide patients with instructions, write prescriptions, communicate with staff and vendors, and run our facilities. Medicine is an information and paper consuming intensive service. Industry estimates suggest that Americans throw away approximately 4.5 million tons of office paper a year.

This month, as part of Practice Greenhealth’s year of Earth Day challenges,name of organization(or list a particular department(s)) is taking on the challenge of a one-day, 8-hour paper fast. The goal is to see if we can refrain from printing emails, memos, documents, and non-essential information.

Practice Greenhealth,using industry estimated, has calculated both the environmental and financial costs of paper use for a ream of paper (500 sheets.)

• One person uses 48 sheets of paper a day and 6 of those sheets are wasted
• The paper and the cost of ink for color printing is approximately $0.48 a piece or $23.04
• 20.25 gallons of water are used to make the paper
• 1 ream of paper equals 6% of a tree
• Approximately $6.00 is spent on gas every time an office supply delivery is made
• 1 ream of paper (without post-consumer fibers) releases 35.5 pounds of CO2

“This challenge will help us see how we are personally involved in the national waste paper trail,” says (name of person quoted.) “After one-day, we will be able to discuss where we can make lasting changes that will not change our level of service or care to our patients but will instead reduce our costs and environmental footprint.”

(name of organization) is committed to creating an environmentally sensitive facility for our patients and staff. Our participation in this yearlong challenge will help raise our awareness about our effect on our community and strengthen the impact of the programs we already have in place.

To learn more about the Practice Greenhealth year of Earth Day challengesvisit them online at

About (name of member info here)

About Practice Greenhealth

Practice Greenhealth is the nation’s leading membership and networking organization for institutions in the healthcare community that have made a commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices. Our 12,000 members include hospitals, healthcare systems, businesses and other stakeholders engaged in the greening of healthcare to improve the health of patients, staff and the environment. For more information on Practice Greenhealth, the Earth Day Leadership event, healthy initiatives, current trends, news and views and other links to Earth friendly organizations visit