Green Paper
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Green Paper
The mystery behind Recycled Content. Paper breaks down into two categories - Total Recycled Content and Post-Consumer content.
Total Recycled Content
refers to all recycled materials regardless of where they came from. It might include manufacturing scraps and waste. It's distinguished from post-consumer waste in that it never leaves the factory before being reused.
Post-consumer content
is the material that was collected after products were purchased, used and discarded. When you toss out a newspaper, it becomes post-consumer waste.
Federal agencies are required by law (Resources Conservation and Recovery Act, Section 6002) to buy recycled products with post-consumer contnet. This requirement is part of waht's called the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG). The CPG calls for the following:
| Material | PCR Content |
|---|---|
| Toilet Tissue | 20% to 60% |
| Facial Tissue | 10% to 15% |
| Hand Towels | 40% to 60% |
| Industrial Wipes | At least 40% |
Bleaching - How bad is it?
Very bad! Most paper is bleached to make it perfectly white. The traditional bleaching process uses elemental chlorine or chlorine dioxide. When chlorine enters the environment where it mixes with other naturally occurring organic material in the aste stream it can produce dioxins and furans, which are some of the most deadly chemicals on the face of the earth. Furthermore, on the of the major production methods of chlorine requires the use of mercury cells, which release mercury, a heavy metal and known neurotoxin and developmental toxin into the environment. Bottom line, bleaching is hazardous to us and the environment.
Choosing the correct dispenser
Hands-free paper hand towel dispensers that eliminate cranks and levers cut down on germs that are passed from person to person and improve the protection of occupant health. While battery-operated or electric dispensers that work by waving a hand in front of an electric eye can be attractive but expensive. A simple dispenser that leaves some exposed paper to be pulled is equally effective in protecting against the transmission of germs and eliminates batteries and motors.
Purchasing toilet paper in larger rolls reduces packaging waste and are typically cheaper than smaller rolls and require less labor to constantly change the rolls.
Replacing C-fold and multifold towel dispensers with roll towel products and hands-free dispensers not only eliminates waste, but saves money and labor to restock the dispensers. People tend to pull out and waste more C-fold towels than they need.
