It is my policy to avoid whenever possible the energy, paper and ink costs related to generating hard copies of materials for a class. This includes tests, handouts and reading assignments. If the student ever feels disadvantaged by the lack of paper copies of materials, please discuss this with me. I attempt to design tests and such so that students will not need hard copies of materials for such activities.
I also try to limit the amount of paper used for submissions to me. Nearly all submissions are electronic. Quizzes and other response papers done in class are usually completed on recycled index cards. We use both sides.
While academia might be a "greener" industry than many, I take seriously the impact that my work activity has on the environment.
Most students are probably aware by now that web searches have a carbon footprint, though how much is debated. If you are curious you can Google "google carbon footprint" :-) or save some energy and go straight here: Networkworld. Of course just about everything we do on the web requires electricity and driving to the library no doubt consumes more energy. I'm just noting that clicking away is, in fact, not free of environmental consequences.