| What is a recycled product?
1.) A product that
contains a percentage of material recovered from the manufacturing process or through
commercial and residential recycling programs.
2.) A product that
has been rebuilt or remanufactured, such as remanufactured laser toner cartridges and
computer diskettes.
Be aware that “recycled” does not mean that the product
contains 100% recovered materials! Most
products will contain virgin content as well. And
don’t fall for the statement that the product is “recyclable”. Although it is good that the material can be
recycled after use, it is not helping to close-the-loop if it is made from virgin
materials.
(source: Buy Recycled!
A Guide for Massachusetts Businesses, 1996)
What is the difference between post-consumer and pre-consumer
content in a recycled product?
Post-consumer indicates materials which have been purchased,
used, and collected in recycling programs whether curb-side or office such as office
paper, glass bottles, or corrugated cardboard boxes.
Pre-consumer refers to materials that are waste products
generated by manufacturers. Instead of being
trashed, materials such as trimmings, damaged or obsolete products, or overruns are
collected and incorporated into a manufacturing process.
Many textile, plastic and paper products frequently contain pre-consumer
material.
Keep in mind that pre-consumer content has never left the
manufacturing site. To truly close-the-loop
you should be purchasing products with the highest post-consumer content that fits
your needs.
(source: Buy Recycled!
A Guide for Massachusetts Businesses, 1996)
Close-the-loop by watching your packaging waste!
The solution to closing-the-loop is not just buying recycled. Consider your packaging waste. Can you buy a similar product from another
manufacturer that is wrapped in less plastic or in fewer boxes? Is this an item that could be bought in bulk,
minimizing the extra containers that would be used if it were to be bought conventionally? If you don’t feel comfortable switching
products, ask your supplier if they could examine their packaging in order to decrease
waste.
IBM is one of the many companies who have seen the enormous
cost savings and environmental benefits from the reduction of packaging. In the mid-1990s, IBM’s packaging department
significantly minimized the materials required to safely ship their products. IBM published this information in its Environmental
Packaging Guidelines, which it shares with its suppliers.
(source: Private Sector Pioneers - How Companies Are
Incorporating Environmentally Preferable Purchasing, EPA’s EPP program, June 1999)
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