ILLINOIS, USA: OfficeMax, a leader in office products and services, has announced that its customers can now choose 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper when making self-serve copies at their local OfficeMax ImPress, OfficeMax's in-store print and document services.

Customers can upgrade from 30 percent to 100 percent post-consumer paper for a limited time at no charge. All OfficeMax ImPress self-serve copy machines have been outfitted with "Think in Green" stickers to encourage customers to take advantage of this offer.

"People are seeking environmentally responsible options in every aspect of their work and OfficeMax is proactively finding new alternatives within our products and services," said Ryan Vero, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer for OfficeMax. "We are bringing OfficeMax customers products and services that emphasize recycling, energy efficiency and recycled content to help them do their best work while being environmentally conscientious at the same time."

According to Environmental Defense Fund, the average American now uses nearly 700 pounds of paper each year - a doubling in per capita consumption since 1960. Paper has a considerable impact on the environment from manufacturing to end-of-life disposal. Many businesspeople are reducing the number of copies they make to lessen the environmental impact, but there are business situations where copies are still a necessity. Using a 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper for copies helps minimize the environmental impact.

OfficeMax also works with small and large business customers in helping them reduce paper consumption and often references Environmental Defense Fund's Paper Calculator. The Paper Calculator allows businesses to quantify the environmental benefits of switching paper from non-recycled to recycled content, or from moving to a higher recycled content.