The price of products with recycled content can be lower, higher or the same as comparable virgin products.  As demand for these products increases, supply should also increase, therefore forcing prices down.  These are the major factors contributing to cost discrepancies:

• Availability and cost of raw materials to the manufacturers - both virgin and recycled
• Distributor mark-up
• Quantity of the item ordered
• Whether the product is a common stock item
• Geographical location

If a recycled content material does have a price differential, often the difference can be made up by using the product more efficiently, thereby saving money by buying less.  For example, if buying recycled content copy paper costs a little bit more than virgin content paper, save by using less paper i.e. use both sides of the paper while copying or printing; send and read documents electronically; route copies of reports, memos instead of distributing individual copies, etc.

When comparing costs of products, consider life-cycle costs as well. Many recycled or reusable products have a longer life, may require less maintenance, have reduced disposal costs, etc.  In a life-cycle cost analysis, these ancillary savings and revenue sources are factored into the initial unit price.   Plastic or plastic-wood composite decking materials are a good example of this.  This type of lumber costs more at the outset.  However, because no regular maintenance is needed with these products, and because the product is longer-lasting, the cost is usually less over the life of the deck or other outdoor structure.

How to Buy Recycled

Product labels can often be confusing and misleading. These definitions and links will help you wade through advertisers’ claims to ensure that you are purchasing recycled and environmentally preferable products. 

Recycled Content – Products are made from materials that would otherwise have been discarded. That means these products are made totally or partially from material contained in the products you recycle, like aluminum soda cans or newspaper. Recycled-content products also can be items that are rebuilt or re-manufactured from used products such as toner cartridges or computers. (Source: Earth911)

Post-Consumer – A term used to describe material that is being reused/recycled after it has been in the consumer’s hands (e.g., a newspaper going back to the paper mill to be recycled into new recycled content paper products). Material or product used by the consumer for its original purpose and then discarded. (Source: Earth911)

Pre-Consumer – A term used to describe material that is being reused/recycled before it ever goes to market (e.g. paper scraps off a paper mill floor going back into the next batch of paper). Waste material generated during the manufacturing process. (Source: Earth911)

Buyer Beware!  Don't Get Greenwashed! Greenwashing is a term used to describe false environmental claims and it is illegal! Read more about greenwashing and the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) efforts to curb it.

1. Notify your suppliers - Let your printer and suppliers know that the chief administrative officer of your company prefers to use products and materials made from post-consumer recycled material and products that are remanufactured or reusable.
   
   
2. Talk with your procurement officials - Work with your purchasing staff to overcome any initial opposition to change and overcome difficulties they foresee.
   
   
3. Review specifications and eliminate over-specification - Determine what products to target and then review and revise specifications for these products to allow for the use of post-consumer recycled material content. Eliminate unnecessary requirements that make it impossible for recycled/remanufactured products to compete with virgin (such as unnecessarily high brightness specifications for paper). Give preference to recycled content products that are also reusable or recyclable through your recycling program.
   
   
4. Incorporate minimum content standards - Review the EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guideline Program (CPG) for federal procurement of recycled content products for guidance in your own purchasing practices. The guidelines also apply to state and local government agencies and government contractors using Federal funds.  For example, if a state or local agency or a government contractor spends more than $10,000 a year on an EPA-designated item and part of that money is from appropriated federal funds, then the agency must purchase that item made from recovered materials.
   
   
5. Develop a review process - Set up the procurement program so recycled products can compete. Require suppliers to certify recovered and post-consumer material content.
   
   
6. Buy in Bulk - Buying large quantities of a product should result in a better unit price, so consider buying through business organizations or cooperative purchasing organizations that can coordinate purchasing programs.

While you do most of your recycling at home wouldn’t it be great if your home could also be the place where you "closed the loop." This list of resources, along with those above, will help you come full circle. Remember this is just a sampling of what the market has to offer – entrepreneurs are making new items out of almost everything including textiles, billboards, car parts, plastic bottles, broken glass, grocery bags and more! Be creative when purchasing and remember to check the labels!

Amazing Recycled Products, Inc.  Architectural and landscape products, plus general recycled products.

The Old Wood Company - Recycled wood furniture

Greener Choices - Products for a greener planet

Brilliant Earth - Recycled metal jewelry

Patagonia - Recycled polyester fleeces and other products