Recycled content products

Get some
~ runs on the board ~

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Changing the way an organisation (even a small one) buys materials and manages its waste is no small task. However, doing some research and focussing initially on just a few materials will enable you to get some ‘runs on the board’ before moving on to bigger purchasing issues and waste streams.

Recycling waste materials needs to be linked with the buying habits of consumers. This process is sometimes referred to as ‘closing the loop’.

Buying recycled content products creates viable, long-term markets for recovered waste materials. Without consumer support, markets for recycled waste materials - and products made from them - will not reach their full potential.

There are many advantages to government agencies buying recycled content products:

more efficient use of valuable resources
reduces the cost of waste disposal
meets community expectations
protects the environment.

Some consumers can be wary of recycled content products due to concerns about performance and quality. In some cases these concerns are justified. Careful testing and selection of recycled content products can minimise such problems.

How to buy more recycled products

Audit materials you buy and identify which are virgin or contain recycled content. This information will assist you to develop a list of virgin materials to ‘target’ for substitution
Research what types of recycled content products are available, their specifications, performance and cost.
Inform your supplier(s) that you want recycled content products and that they need to consider supplying these types of products if they want to retain your business.
Remove clauses in supply contracts biased against recycled content products. Insert conditions requiring suppliers to use or provide recycled content products if available
Develop and implement a buy-recycled policy across your organisation. Promote the policy to management and staff. Get senior management support for the policy
Educate staff on the principles of buying recycled content products emphasising the important contribution they can make to saving their organisation money and protecting the environment.
Develop data collection and reporting systems to measure the progress of your buy-recycled policy. You will need to work with your procurement and IT people to do this.
Review how well recycled content products are working from time to time to ensure they are performing up to required standards.

How to buy ...

Paper

Identify opportunities to substitute virgin paper with a recycled content alternative eg. stationery products, general office printing and photocopier paper.
Test recycled content paper products in different machines for a set period and then review the paper’s performance.
Ask suppliers about which recycled content paper products they stock.
Change your paper supply contract to require supply of recycled content paper where possible.
Limit the variety of stationery lines available and use recycled content products where available.
Investigate options to use e-business systems to avoid paper consumption.
Discuss with suppliers the possibility of reducing or reusing surplus packaging.

More about paper & WRAPP >>

Office equipment and consumables

Look at the types of machines and consumables your organisation uses. Are they recycled or recyclable? When will they be replaced? Who supplies them?
Buying a networked multi function (combined printer, photocopier, fax and scanner) reduces the number of individual machines in the office – however be aware that their increased printing capacity can increase paper use.
Do some research. What types of suitable recyclable or remade machines are available? When replacing equipment ask potential suppliers if their machines take recycled cartridges. Understand differences between different types of recycled cartridges.
Avoid buying large and complex machines with lots of unnecessary functions – people will waste time and resources figuring out how to use them. Get something small, basic and robust.
Rent equipment you use only occasionally.
Change your equipment supply contract to require supply of remade machines or toner cartridges where possible.
Ask suppliers about available recycled cartridges for machines. Ask if they void any warranties or service agreements.
Find out if suppliers or other companies operate a take-back scheme for used machines or cartridges.
Order cartridges with minimal packaging. Order cartridges in bulk if possible or organise a centralised purchasing arrangement.

More about office equipment & WRAPP >>

Vegetation materials

Survey what types of synthetic versus organic landscaping materials your organisation uses.
Research how different types of organic materials can be used. In particular, investigate cost savings associated with not buying synthetic materials.
Avoid buying new products. Your organisation may be generating vegetation wastes that could be processed and reused.
Ask your suppler if they stock recycled organic products.
Substitute synthetic landscaping and agricultural products with recycled organic products where you can.
Ensure that recycled organic products that you buy meet the Australian Standard such as AS4454 (1999) for composts, soil amenders and mulches and AS3743 (1996) for potting mixes

More about vegetation materials & WRAPP >>

Construction materials

Consider using recycled content products and materials where possible. Check the performance of recycled content products to ensure they meet engineering specifications.
Tell suppliers that you want to use recycled content products where possible.
Accurately estimate the quantities of materials required for the job to avoid over-supply.
Engage a recovery contractor to remove recoverable materials from the site.
Avoid over-ordering and materials being damaged on-site, look for ‘just in time’ delivery options for all materials.
Return over-supplied quantities to the supplier.

More about construction & demolition materials & WRAPP >>