Recycled Paper Without the Green Theater

Start with the document

Recycled-content paper is a legitimate purchasing option. It is not automatically the right specification for every print job, and it does not make an office environmentally responsible by itself.

First determine what the document requires: print quality, weight, archival needs, color performance and printer compatibility. Then compare appropriate products.

Usage matters too

An office can buy a recycled sheet and still waste enormous amounts of paper through unnecessary printing, duplicate copies, poor document control and over-ordering. A sensible program looks at both the product and the behavior around it.

Track total usage, emergency orders, damaged stock and paper that becomes obsolete because forms or branding changed. These are easier to measure than vague statements about being “green.”

Ask for documentation

If recycled content or certification matters to your organization, request the relevant supplier or mill documentation for the specific product. Do not assume every item in a brand family has the same attributes.

Responsible purchasing is less exciting than a campaign. It is also more useful.