Tip 9: Select products made from recycled materials
articipating
in a local or regional recycling program is only part of the recycling process.
For recycling to succeed, recyclable materials must be processed into new
products, and those products must be purchased and used.
Look
for items in packages and containers made of recycled materials. Many
bottles, cans, paper wrappings, bags, cereal boxes, and other cartons
and packages are made from recycled materials.
Use
products with recycled content whenever you can. For instance, many paper,
glass, metal, and plastic products contain recovered materials. Some examples
are stationery, wrapping paper, computer paper, and many containers. Many
of these items are available in grocery, drug, and other retail stores.
Mail-order catalogues, stationers, and print shops also may stock these
and other recycled items.
When
checking products for recycled content, look for a statement that recycled
materials were used and, if possible, choose the item with the largest
percentage of recycled content, if known. You can also call directory
assistance at 1-800-555-1212 to obtain manufacturers' 800 numbers to find
out how much recycled material their products contain.
Encourage
state and local government agencies, local businesses, and others to purchase
recycled products such as paper, re-refined oil, and retread tires. For
the federal government, guidelines already exist that mandate the purchase
of these and other products.
