Paper Savings Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the paper savings calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Paper Savings Calculator

Formulas Used

Trees Saved

trees_saved = lbs_paper_saved / 100

Water Saved

water_saved = lbs_paper_saved * 3

CO2 Saved

co2_saved = lbs_paper_saved * 3.3 / 2204.6

Cost Saved

cost_saved = reams_saved * cost_per_ream

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
reams_per_yearAnnual Paper Reams Used(reams)20
reduction_pctReduction Target(%)50
cost_per_reamCost per Ream(USD)8
reams_savedDerived value= reams_per_year * reduction_pct / 100calculated
lbs_paper_savedDerived value= reams_saved * 5calculated

How It Works

How to Calculate Paper Savings

Reducing paper consumption saves trees, water, and energy.

Environmental Factors per Pound of Paper

  • Trees: ~1 tree per 100 lbs of paper
  • Water: ~3 gallons per pound
  • CO2: ~3.3 lbs CO2 per pound of virgin paper

    • Formula

    Paper Saved (lbs) = Reams * Reduction % * 5 lbs/ream

    A standard ream is 500 sheets (5 lbs). The average US office worker uses 10,000 sheets per year.

    Worked Example

    An office using 20 reams/year reducing by 50% at $8/ream.

    reams_per_year = 20reduction_pct = 50cost_per_ream = 8
    1. 01Reams saved: 20 * 50% = 10 reams
    2. 02Paper weight: 10 * 5 = 50 lbs
    3. 03Trees saved: 50 / 100 = 0.5 trees
    4. 04Water saved: 50 * 3 = 150 gallons
    5. 05Cost saved: 10 * $8 = $80

    Ready to run the numbers?

    Open Paper Savings Calculator