Reasons to Buy

Quality

• Excellent performance
• Meets the same technical specifications as virgin papers
• Many are acid-free for archival longevity
• Successfully runs on the most demanding copiers, office machines and printing presses
• Many recycled copy papers are guaranteed to work well in copiers

Aesthetic

• High to moderate brightness levels, with pleasing light reflection
• Ranges from clean, bright whites to a wide palette of colors
• Some recycled graphic papers have specks added back in to the paper to achieve custom design effects

Availability

• Available in virtually every grade of paper
• Most printers, paper distributors, and retail outlets have some recycled paper on their shelves
• Choices are even greater if you order recycled paper ahead of time

Financial

• Many are the best buy or evenly priced with nonrecycled, especially letterhead, matching envelopes, business cards, brochures, and many coated papers
• When recycled papers cost more, price differentials are usually quite small
• Buying in larger quantities and planning ahead further reduces or eliminates price premiums on recycled paper
• Saves trees, energy, water, and landfill space compared to virgin paper
• Protects forests, watersheds, ecosystems Produces less pollution than virgin paper production Offers environmental savings many times over, since fibers can be recycled repeatedly Needs less bleaching than virgin papers; reduces use of toxic chemicals Concentrates inks, chemicals and other potential hazards for responsible management, instead of releasing them as do landfilling and incineration
• Incorporates full-cycle production costs, unlike virgin paper which includes no responsibility for its eventual disposal costs

Future

• Creates strong, ongoing markets for local community recycling collection systems
• Provides the foundation of an environmentally sustainable paper production system (even when papers are tree-free, chlorine-free or produced through certified sustainable forestry)

Steps to Buying and Using Recycled Paper

• Always specify postconsumer recycled paper, to create markets for local community recycling collection systems
• Ask for the highest postconsumer content you can, balanced against your budget and functional needs
• Choose the right grade of paper for your job
• Allow enough lead-time for a wider selection and better pricing
• Use recycled paper both for "public" paper uses such as stationery, direct mail and brochures, as well as for less visible uses such as copy paper
• Specify recycled paper use in all contracts
• Publicize the need to buy recycled paper - to employees, customers, vendors, citizens
• Label all printed materials, including letters, bills and publications, as printed on recycled paper so that others will see how acceptable & high quality it is
• Solve equipment and other complaints by investigating all possible causes of the problem. Don't quit buying recycled paper
• Deal with cost issues in ways that encourage continued recycled paper purchases. Reduce paper waste to reduce costs
• Obtain accurate information. Don't automatically believe negative claims