Close the Loop...Buy Recycled!

Buying Recycled in the Workplace
Businesses can have a large on the recycling market by creating demand for recycled material. Therefore, it is critical for governments and businesses to establish programs to buy recycled products. Buying recycled has several benefits:

• Creating new markets.
• Reducing the need for disposal.
• Incentives for manufacturers to use more recycled materials.
• Conserving resources and energy.
• Saving money.
• Enhancing your organization’s image.
• Creating jobs and economic opportunities.
• List of Recycled Products

Examples of Recycled Materials
There are many possible items your business or organization can purchase that are made from recycled material ranging from office supplies to retread tires. Here is a list of some of them:

• Printing and writing papers
• Trash cans
• Bulletin boards
• Pencils
• Recycled computer disks
• Rulers
• Pallets
• Re-refined oil
• Recycled antifreeze
• Retread tires
• Building insulation
• Safety vest and hats
• Rubberized asphalt/glassphault
• Flooring
• Food Service Containers (paper and plastic)
• Packaging Materials
• Disposable suits (for landfill or other work)

Further Information
For more about buying recycled, check out the following sites:

Resource Exchange Network for Elminating Waste (RENEW)

The EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG)
The CPG lists seven categories of items that federal, state, and local agencies or government contractors using appropriated federal funds should purchase with recycled content.

American Plastics Council Recycled Plastics Product Directory