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Post Consumer Fiber Paper


Every ton (about 40 cartons) of 30% postconsumer content copier paper saves the equivalent of 7.2 trees

Source: ConservaTreenon government site opens in new window


Related Topics


Post-Consumer

Post-consumer content is an end product that has completed its life cycle as a consumer item and rather than being sent to the landfill, it is diverted by reusing the material in a new product. Examples of items that may include post-consumer content are office paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, plastics and metals.  By recycling materials that have served their intended use, new products can be made.   For example, a plastic bottle can become carpet backing by placing it in a recycling bin.  It’s just as important to purchase materials that contain recycled content as it is to recycle.

Whole Building Design Guide | Evaluating and Selecting Green Productsnon government site opens in new window

EPA | Recycling Basicsopens in new window

Recycling

Glass, plastic, aluminum, cardboard and paper (including glossy magazines, envelopes with plastic windows and sticky notes) can all be easily recycled.  Depending on the waste hauler, recycling bins can include commingled waste (i.e. all materials are collected in one bin) or they may require separated waste (i.e. one bin for paper, one bin for plastics, etc).  By recycling products, materials are sent back to the marketplace rather than to the landfill. 

EPA | Recycling Basicsopens in new window

Share non government site opens in new window

Did You Know?

The U.S. generated approximately 251 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2012. Almost 87 million tons were recycled and composted, which represents a 34.5% recycling rate. Solid waste generated per capita is the lowest since the 1980s. This is a 3 percent increase in the tons recycled.

Source: US EPA, Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2012opens in new window.

Reduce facility waste with SFTool  


Case Study

Sense of Place

Skylight and Sculpture

What makes a workplace special? What fosters a sense of attachment, engagement and identity? These are the kinds of questions that underlie the sense of place. The workplace is increasingly seen as a “brand” that conveys not only a place, but also the mission and values of the organization. The GSA workplace program combines branding and sense of place with sustainable approaches to create special places imbued with meaning and purpose.

View Case Study