Every time you go to the grocery store you are likely to be buying products in packages made partially or entirely of recovered materials. Almost all cereal, cracker, and cake mix boxes are made of 100% recycled paperboard. Steel cans and glass bottles also contain high percentages of recovered materials. Paper towels and tissues may be made entirely or partially of recovered materials.

At the office supply store there are choices to make. Whether you are looking for copier

paper, printer paper, fine writing paper, envelopes, or toner cartridges, there are likely to be products made partially or entirely of recovered materials, so be sure to read the labels. Look for the highest percentage of recycled content you can find.

Safe Bets

No matter where you live, you probably have access to recycled content products in your stores. These four materials almost always have a significant amount of recycled content even though many such products are not often labeled a “recycled”:

· Steel, including food cans, cars, appliances, bicycles, furniture, nails...anything made with steel;

· Aluminum, including beverage cans;

· Glass bottles and jars;

· Paperboard products such as cereal boxes, mailing containers, jigsaw puzzles, and game boards.

Wherever you are, at the hardware store, auto supply store, shoe store, pharmacy, or shopping center, you are likely to find products made of, or packaged in, recycled material. These products may contain recycled content:

· Paper Products -- facial tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, corrugated card-board boxes, writing paper, greeting cards, copier and printer paper, and office paper products.

· Plastic Bottles -- bottles and jugs containing liquid laundry detergent, dishwashing liquids, shampoos, and household cleaners.

· Other products -- re-refined motor oil, fiberfill for sleeping bags, carpeting, pencils, recycling bins, clothing, building insulation, wallboard, tile, and many more products.

Here are two definitions you may see when looking for recycled content products.

· Pre-consumer content refers to material such as factory trimmings, damaged or obsolete products, and overruns generated by manufacturers. Such materials have been recycled for decades.

· Post-consumer content refers to material that has served its intended use and has been recycled by a consumer or business. By looking for the highest post-consumer content you can find, you help build demand for material collected in community and office recycling programs.

On November 15, Keep Troup Beautiful is joining organizations across the US to celebrate America Recycles Day. Troup County residents can support America Recycles Day by simply by signing a pledge card that says they will increase their individual efforts to recycle and buy recycled. For more information contact Keep Troup Beautiful (884-9922) or go to www.americarecyclesday.org.

Recycling