Close The Recycling Loop And Buy Recycled

Every community in New York State is required to have a recycling program in place. New Yorkers should be proud of our dedication to recycling and our collective efforts to protect the environment and conserve natural resources.

To ensure that the materials that we separate for recycling are able to become recycled we must find ways to make sure that there is a continuing demand for products made with recycled materials. The easiest way that shoppers can help sustain such demand is to simply buy recycled products whenever they can. "Close the recycling loop" and BUY RECYCLED.

Products Made From Recycled Materials

More and more products and packaging are being produced with recycled content. The following are just a few items that you should look for when shopping that may contain recycled content:

  • Paper napkins, paper towels, and toilet tissue.
  • Writing papers, greeting cards and envelopes.
  • Paperboard packaging (such as cereal, cake and cracker boxes).
  • Trash bags and paper bags.
  • Glass containers.
  • Aluminum and steel containers.

You will however, have to look for the recycled content information on the products that you consider buying to make sure that they are produced with recycled materials.

The Difference Between "Pre-Consumer" and "Post-Consumer" Materials

Many products also list information on the percentages of pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled content. To define those terms simply:

  • Post-consumer materials include the materials from products that you buy, use and then separate for recycling.
  • Pre-consumer materials are materials and by-products or scrap from industry that have not yet reached a consumer or business for their use. These materials are reused within the same manufacturing process.

To make the most of your community recycling efforts, look for products with a high post-consumer recycled content.

NYSDEC
Bureau of Waste Reduction and Recycling
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-7253
(518) 402-8706


Contact for this Page

DMM, Bureau of Waste Reduction and Recycling
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233

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