Getting ready for a delivery
The PaperTrail started with a simple question… Is there a way to make use of our company’s excess paper? We send off huge amounts of usable, quality paper for recycling, while the daycares around our office struggle for art supplies. I had an epiphany while slicing off a perfectly pre-made picture book at the office over a year ago, but I didn’t know how to go about making it happen. How could we get our paper into all those little crayon wielding hands?
My first step was to assess what type of, and how much, paper our office could offer. I then printed off a google-map of ‘downtown Calgary daycares’ and made a note of the two that appeared closest to our office. A letter [download PaperTrail form letter] addressed to each daycare’s program coordinator came next, in which I explained my proposition. I included a sample of one of our paper cut-offs in each envelope and set out to hit the pavement on a lunchbreak.
Hmmm, this would make a great picture book!
Paper collected throughout the week
The response was thrilling! Both daycares were over-the-moon excited to have a weekly supply of free primo paper coming their way. They even appreciate paper already printed on one side, anything that sets those crayons free! I bought two canvas totes at Michaels Arts&Crafts, and got busy with fabric paint to give The PaperTrail some instant “street-cred”.
Tools for giving The PaperTrail instant "street-cred"
Name painted using scotch tape as top/bottom guidelines
We gather the recyclable paper throughout the week in an out of the way corner and, with my bosses permission, I slip out to make the deliveries every Friday morning. The response has been sensational, and my co-worker Michelle Clare is now working with me to expand the program. I’m still surprised at how easy it can be to help our cities “go green”!
Ajka Juscic, Executive Director of Children's Creative Learning Centre (Calgary), shows off the Centre's latest PaperTrail artwork
Please email The PaperTrail at savingcymbria@yahoo.ca to get your workplace involved in this great new community outreach!
