Buy Recycled

Creating a strong market for recycled products is key to completing the recycling process. Consumers close the loop when they purchase products made from recycled materials.

Identifying Recycled-Content Products

Recycled-content products are made from materials that would otherwise have been discarded. Items in this category are made totally or partially from material destined for disposal or recovered from industrial activities-like aluminum soda cans or newspaper. Recycled-content products also can be items that are rebuilt or remanufactured from used products such as toner cartridges or computers.

Post-consumer content refers to material from products that were used by consumers or businesses and would otherwise be discarded as waste. If a product is labeled "recycled content," the rest of the product material might have come from excess or damaged items generated during normal manufacturing processes-not collected through a local recycling program.

Recyclable products can be collected and remanufactured into new products after they've been used. These products do not necessarily contain recycled materials and only benefit the environment if people recycle them after use.

Recycled Materials from Central Stores

All toilet paper and paper towels used in Multnomah County facilities are made with 100% recycled content.

Look for the Eco logo to select environmentally preferable products.

Central Stores sells 100% recycled paper!  Buying 100% recycled paper saves:

• 60-70% energy savings over virgin pulp
• uses 55% less water
• reduces water pollution by 35%
• reduces air pollution by 74%
• eliminates many toxic pollutants

The EPA estimates every ton of 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper saves up to 24 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 4,100 kilowatts of electricity and 60 pounds of air pollution.

Other products containing recycled content available from Central Stores include:

• Trash can liners: product line averages 35% recycled
• File Folders: 10-30% post consumer content
• Post-it Notes: some varieties are 30% recycled
• Tablets: 35% recycled tablets are available
• Toner cartridges: remanufactured cartridges are available
• Calendars: most varieties are 30% recycled