A paperless newspaper and a 20-mile distribution route traveled by bike may sound absurd, but it’s becoming a reality at the Oregon Daily Emerald.
In a time of solar panels, bike deliveries and never ending messages to “go green,” the Emerald has joined the University community in taking heed to create a sustainable campus. The University’s efforts gained national recognition in July when the Princeton Review named the University one of the “greenest” in the nation. Through technology, paper cut-backs and old-fashioned human power, the Emerald has increased its efforts to make campus greener.
Three of the Emerald’s four distribution routes, all of which used to be traveled by car, are now being traveled by bike. In an effort that began Sept. 29, the Emerald started using bike-compatible trailers constructed from pieces of plywood and storage bins to haul the newspapers along the campus distributions routes. The trailers cost the Emerald a total of $250 each.
Emerald Business Manager Kathy Carbone made it a goal to implement the trailers.
“I give credit to students who came forward with their own equipment and proved it could be done,” she said. “The students ride their own bikes, get their trailers locked up, and away they go.”
Carbone, who has managed delivery at the Emerald for 15 years, said it’s easier to use bikes for campus distribution. “It’s cheaper, more efficient and better for the planet,” she said.
University senior Thomas Kirkpatrick, who delivers papers on the west side of campus, said he became interested in delivering because bikes are used. “I believe one less car does make a positive difference,” Kirkpatrick said. “I’m just thinking globally and acting locally.”
Kirkpatrick said the route takes him about two hours to complete, and takes him around Lillis Business Complex, down 13th Avenue and to several fraternities. “I’m getting paid for a great workout, and knowing that I’m helping to make the morning air a little cleaner makes it smell so sweet.”
The route still traveled by car stretches 20 miles around the city, and will soon be traveled by bike as well. Carbone ordered a Tri-Hauler bike from the Center for Appropriate Transport, which is set to be ready in about six weeks.
“Because of the design of the machine, it can haul 600 pounds with human power,” Carbone said.
The Emerald’s operating budget covers the cost of the bike and trailers, money that would have been used for mileage reimbursement if cars were still being used on campus distribution routes.
Carbone said she’s noticed a decrease of approximately 50 percent in paper use.
Editor-in-Chief Ashley Chase said to reduce paper use, double-sided prints and digital mock-ups have become the norm.
“Anything we cannot print and still maintain our daily activities is what we try to do,” Chase said. She also added the Emerald is focusing its efforts on revamping its Web site to provide readers with more content while using less paper.
Emerald Advertising Director Lindsey Ferguson said the advertising department has substantially decreased their paper use as well, using digital client documents and folders and storing PDFs of all the ads. Ferguson said the efforts save money and are far more efficient, providing clients with better service.
Ferguson explained advertisements were laid out on several pieces of paper, but now the process is done on the computer. “Not only are we cutting back on paper, it saves time,” Ferguson said. The old layout process, she said, used to take a few hours, but on the computer it usually takes about 30 minutes.
Ferguson also noted using computers does not come without costs.
“Computers still have a big carbon footprint,” she said, “but without all the paper, we are still doing our part.”
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