Recycled Content Issues

Does recycled paper work in copiers and other office machines? All kinds of myths abound about its use. You might be surprised by some of the answers we got. Read our Listening Study Report on Recycled Content Paper Use In Office Machines.

The following questions (#13-27 in the Study) are intended to be addressed by this section of the Listening Study. If new questions or discussions arise that relate to paper recycling or recycled papers, they are welcome here.

13. Is recycled paper actually better for the environment than virgin paper?

14. Is postconsumer content necessary for "counting" as recycled paper?

15. Should printing and writing paper be expected to have postconsumer content or is it too difficult technically?

16. If so, what is the optimal, as well as the maximum, amount?

17. Does postconsumer content introduce unforgivable contaminants into printing and writing paper, such as groundwood, non-recyclable adhesives, dyes and inks?

18. What is the role of preconsumer material in recycled paper?

19. Can the wastepaper collection system supply sufficient quantity and quality of postconsumer content for printing and writing paper? Is single stream or source separated collection an issue for high grade paper collection?

20. Can paper recycling collection systems be expanded and, if so, what are obstacles?

21. What role do converters, printers, governments, and others play in ensuring high quality fibers to be recycled into paper (e.g. contaminants, collection processes, returning scraps to mills)?

22. Can deinking systems supply sufficient quantity and quality of postconsumer content?

23. Can deinking systems supply postconsumer content at competitive prices?

24. Is deinking an environmental threat?

25. Does recycled content reduce demand on forests?

26. Does recycled paper perform competitively on printing presses and in office machines? Read our Listening Study Report.

27. Is paper packaging (such as ream wrap) recyclable and should it be?

On this or other questions about recycled paper, please send us your comments!