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Frequently Asked Questions
About Buying Recycled |
Why should I buy recycled products?There are both economic and environmental
reasons to buy recycled products. Purchasing recycled products strengthens markets for
recyclables which helps create jobs and economic development opportunities. Creating a
demand for recycled products also encourages manufacturers to use recycled materials.
Recycled products usually save natural resources, require less
energy to procure, keep materials out of landfills and incinerators, and result in less
pollution |
How do I find vendors that sell recycled products?
- Work with your current products vendors and suppliers. Often they carry recycled
products or are willing to find them for customers.
- Ask at your local office supply stores for recycled computer and copy paper, envelopes,
pencils, office furniture and other recycled products. If your local retail stores do not
carry recycled products, encourage store managers to begin stocking them.
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Is it more expensive to buy recycled products?Some products are less expensive than
their virgin counterparts while others are more expensive. Many factors affect the
price of recycled products and it is best to compare prices of both types before making a
decision on buying recycled or virgin products. It is also important to look at a
the total cost of a product: What is the purchase price? How long before it
must be replaced? How much will it cost me to dispose or recycle this product?
When demand for a recycled product is high, the price drops.
The price of recycled photocopy paper has declined in part because of increased
demand among consumers. |
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Do recycled products perform as well as products made from virgin material? Like
products made from virgin materials, one must assess recycled products on a case-by-case
basis. Recycled copy paper and remanufactured toner cartridges had performance issues when
they first came out. Those issues were addressed long ago, and we encourage you to try
them again. |
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