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Buy Recycled General Tips

1. Become educated about recycled-content products.

There are many recycled-content products available for home, office, construction, landscaping, transportation, and recreational uses. Find out more about where you can find recycled-content products from:

  • County and city solid waste and recycling staff
  • The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • Pennsylvania Resources Council
  • Read product labels. They will indicate what percentage of recycled material was used to manufacture the product.

2. Know what products are usually packaged in recycled materials.

ALUMINUM:

GLASS

PAPERBOARD:

MOLDED PULP:

PLASTIC

STEEL/TIN

cans: All steel cans contain some recycled steel. containers: Most food containers do not contain recycled plastic. Plastic containers for non-food items, like laundry detergents, may contain some recycled plastic. Molded pulp containers usually contain a high percentage of recycled paper. Most paperboard has a high recycled paper content. jars: Almost all glass jars contain some recycled glass. Almost all aluminum cans contain some recycled aluminum.

3. Know what products can be made from recycled materials.

The following types of products can be made with recycled materials, but may also be made from virgin materials, or a combination of recycled and virgin materials. Check product labels to determine whether a specific product was manufactured using recycled materials.

AUTOMOTIVE

CONSTRUCTION

OUTDOOR

PAPER PRODUCTS

PLASTIC

TEXTILES/APPAREL:

HOUSEHOLD

METAL

MISCELLANEOUS

ITEMS: Laser printer toner cartridges, computer floppy discs, pencils, pens, toys. PRODUCTS: Virtually any product made of steel or aluminum contains at least some recycled metal. ITEMS: Aluminum vases, candlestick holders, etc; recycled glass glassware; recycled rubber doormats. Carpets, blankets clothing, shoes, jackets. PRODUCTS: Park benches, picnic tables, recycling bins, trash containers. : Boxes/cartons, business cards, computer paper, envelopes, file folders, writing pads, napkins, facial tissue, toilet tissue, towels, wrapping paper, copier/printer paper. PRODUCTS: Compost bins, curb edging, flower/nursery pots, playground equipment, bicycles, sleeping bags. MATERIALS: Acoustical tiles, building insulation, ceiling tiles, dry wall, floor tiles, paint, plastic lumber. PRODUCTS: Antifreeze, auto parts, batteries (lead acid), floor mats, lubricating oil & grease, motor oil, tires made with recycled materials.