Recycling begins when used material is collected for recycling then processed and manufactured into new products. These "post-consumer" waste products take less energy and natural resources to produce than the original product made from raw materials. Recycling and buying recycled is a process called "Closing the Loop". Look for products labeled as recycled and list a post-consumer content percentage.
When you buy recycled products, you:
- contribute to preserving natural resources
- reduce energy use and pollution
- generate markets for recycled products
Recycled paper products are commonly 30% post consumer content,or higher, and are available at any office paper supply vendor. Obtain a no cost membership from Recycled Paper Purchasing Cooperative to purchase recycled paper at reduced prices. For a more environmentally-friendly recycled copy paper, choose one that is processed chlorine free (PCF). Conservatree has an extensive list of recycled paper and identifies those that are PCF.
Recycled Content Office Supplies
Most office supply companies now offer post consumer recycled content products. The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) Recycled-Content Products Database lists over 3,000 companies and 6,500 recycled-content products.
Enter "Recycled Content Promotional Items" into any search engine to find vendors offering recycled-content clothing, caps, cloth bags, water bottles, pens/pencils and more.
Recycled Content Office Furniture
The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) offers an extensive list of recycled-content office furniture vendors. Two additional vendors not listed on the CalRecycle site are:
Note: The listing of companies does not constitute an endorsement by the City of Sunnyvale.
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