Buying Recycled

The value of recyclables is driven by market demand. As consumers, we must choose products with recycled content and packaged in recycled materials, so that the materials we recycle are put to use, and markets are sustained.

Two types of recycled materials are used in manufacturing products and packaging...pre-consumer and post-consumer.

Pre-consumer is often referred to as mill scraps recycled internally at manufacturing plants.

Post-consumer is returned by consumers, through recycling programs, to the manufacturing process.

These products can typically be made with recycled content:

Packaging: Boxes for foods such as cereal, crackers and cake mix. Bottles containing liquid laundry detergent, dishwashing liquids, shampoos and household cleaners.

Paper products: Facial tissue, toilet paper, napkins, paper towels, greeting cards, writing paper and corrugated cardboard shipping boxes.

Plastic products: Coat hangers, desk accessories, storage organizers, patio furniture, playground equipment and toys.

Automotive: Re-refined motor oil, retread tires, rebuilt/remanufactured parts and used cars.

Garden Supplies: Hoses, planters and mulch.

Clothing and accessories: Tennis shoes and hiking boots. Clothing fabric made of recycled plastic bottles.

Home maintenance: Carpeting, door mats, roofing, wallboard, paint, insulation, gutters and down spouts, siding and flooring.

Office supplies: Copier and printer papers, notepads, remanufactured toner cartridges, bulletin boards, rulers, scissors, pencils and refurbished office furniture.