One of the simplest overall practices in caring for creation is what I'm calling "eco-stretching" (because I can't right now think of a better term that already exists). Basically this means getting the most out of what you have in order to keep from using more resources. Obviously we want to get as many miles per gallon as possible - so this means driving slower, keeping our tires properly inflated, and regularly maintaining our vehicles.
I think extending this practice to our paper use would make a big difference. I now try to use every millimeter of a piece of paper (BOTH SIDES!) before I recycle it. Rather than grab a blank sheet, I write notes on a piece that has already been somewhat (but not completely) used - or I make a shopping list or notes on an envelope junk mail came in.
It's pretty amazing to realize that if a person or company went from one-sided printing for all their documents to two-sided printing they would cut their paper use in half (as well as the money spent on paper).
I heard something as a child that has always stuck with me about the tribes of Native Americans that hunted buffalo using every part of the animal and not wasting anything. We would do well to treat all we have as they treated a buffalo; to do so with a piece of paper is so simple, but so important.
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