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In the past, the variety and in some cases, the performance of some recycled content products did not always measure up to products made from virgin materials. However, technology has come a long way and the quality and variety of recycled content products has improved dramatically. There are recycled content products on the market that meet or even exceed the quality and performance of virgin products. The variety is sufficient to allow you to select only those products that meet your performance specifications.
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:
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. 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)
Guides/Publications/Procurement Guidelines
Buy Recycled Products Directory (More Recycling, Inc.) Recycling Markets (RecyclingMarkets.net) - A searchable database for recyclable products, brokers, dealers, etc. Requires paid subscription.
Product Resource Guides (EPA)
Recycled Paper Products Guide - Natural Resources Defense Council
Model Paper Purchasing Policy - Environmental Paper Network
Taking Steps to Environmentally Responsible Paper - RePaper Project/Environmental Paper Network
Products Buy Recycled (EPA)
Greener Choices - Products for a greener planet
American Chemistry Council - Recycled Plastic Products Directory
Terracycle – Products made from trash -garden supplies, office supplies, bags, and fireplace supplies
Armster Reclaimed Lumber Company - Reclaimed lumber
Preserve - Recycled Plastic Products
Conservatree - Environmentally Sound Paper Listing
GreenYour - Recycled Paint Company & Product List
Recycled Content Product Directory - A comprehensive database (CIWMB)
Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) - Recycled Products from Carpets or Carpet Pads
Organizations/State Programs CT Department of Administrative Services - Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program
Massachusetts Office for Administration and Finance - Environmentally Preferable Products Procurement Program
Buy Recycled Links (EPA WasteWise Program) Steel Recycling Institute – Learn how all steel products contain recycled content – from 25% to over 80%
Other
Eco-labeling -This site helps you find green products and provides a public forum to post comments, queries, or news related to environmental product labels.
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 Recycling Markets (RecyclingMarkets.net) - A searchable database for recyclable products, brokers, dealers, etc. Requires paid subscription.
Greener Choices - Products for a greener planet Brilliant Earth - Recycled metal jewelry Patagonia - Recycled polyester fleeces and other products
Your business may be doing its part to decrease its waste by recycling, but are they purchasing recycled materials to keep the markets strong? The resources in the General section above, and those below will help guide you to more environmentally preferable purchasing decisions and help your company do their part to close the loop. Additionally, all nation-wide office supply retailers such as, Office Depot, Staples and OfficeMax sell recycled content and environmentally preferable products through their stores and their online catalogues, so read the product descriptions carefully. Learn more about eco-labels and "greenwashing". Signature Marketing - Eco Products Responsible Purchasing Network
Below, and in the General section above, are resources to help you buy recycled products for the new school year. Start the new school year off on the "green" foot! This is just a sampling of the products on the market. The products and possibilities are endless, so be creative, explore, and enjoy! Treehugger - Recycled school supplies Inhabitat - Recycled school supplies Yale University Green Purchasing Rutgers University Green Purchasing Purchasing "Green" for Your Campus - Local and Eco-friendly Products and Services, November 20, 2008 (Webinar) National Wildlife Federation Campus Ecology. Filed chronologically under "past conferences".
Government agencies should set an example for purchasing recycled content products. Because they buy in large quantities, often they can realize bulk quantity pricing, and take advantage of cooperative purchasing with other towns, school districts, etc. In addition to all the above mentioned resources, Connecticut municipalities should visit the Municipal Section, the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Section, and the EPP Contracts Section of the CT Department of Administrative Services website to view the products already available on state contract. Work with your purchasing agent who may be more familiar with the DAS system and/or speak with the DAS Contract Specialist noted on the contract to facilitate the process. Also visit the DAS Property Distribution Center (surplus) website for opportunities to purchase/acquire used durable goods. Sorting Out Green Advertising Claims Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims Federal Trade Commission (FTC) FTC Complaint Assistant - Submit a complaint to the FTC How to Interpret a Label (Consumer Reports) The Seven Sins of Greenwashing For more information, please contact Peter Brunelli at 860-424-3536. Top of Page | Reduce/Reuse/Recycle Disclaimer: The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) maintains the content on this web site to enhance public access to information and facilitate understanding of waste reduction, reuse and recycling. The DEEP is not recommending these resources over any others and recognizes these represent only a partial listing of resources on this subject. Content Last Updated October 2019 |
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