2007
Buy-Recycled Series
NONPAPER OFFICE PRODUCTS
COMPREHENSIVE
PROCUREMENT
GUIDELINES
NONPAPER OFFICE
Buying recycled products...
...conserves natural resources
...saves energy
...reduces solid waste
...reduces air and water pollutants
...reduces greenhouse gases
...creates new jobs
SEPA
EPA530-F-07-038
www.epa.gov/osw
October 2007
The soda bottle you re-
cycled after lunch might
end up back on your
desk as a recycled binder or pen-
cil holder. Used toner cartridges
and printer ribbons once consid-
ered "trash" are now remanu-
factured and returned, providing
your office with high-
performance products at
considerable savings.
To make it easier to
buy recycled, the U.S.
Environmental Protec-
tion Agency (EPA) pe-
riodically updates the
Comprehensive Procure-
ment Guidelines (CPG)
Through the CPG, EPA
designates items that
must contain recycled
materials when pur-
chased with appropri-
ated federal funds by
federal, state, and local
agencies, or by gov-
ernment contractors.
Several nonpaper office
products are among
these items. EPA's re-
search shows that the
items designated in the
CPG are of high quality,
widely available, and
cost-competitive with
virgin products. EPA also issues
nonregulatory companion guid-
ance—the Recovered Materials
Advisory Notice (RMAN)—that
recommends levels of recycled
content for those items.
Why Buy Recycled?
Recycling is more than just
dropping off your cans, bottles,
and newspapers at the curb or
at a local collection facility.
Diverting recyclables from the
waste stream is only the first
of three steps in the recycling
process. The second step oc-
curs when companies use these
recyclables to manufacture new
products. The third step comes
when you purchase products
made from recovered materials.
Buying recycled products re-
sults in many environmental
benefits. It supports local re-
cycling programs by creating
markets for the collected mate-
rials that are processed and used
to manufacture new products.
This creates jobs and helps
strengthen the economy; con-
serves natural resources; saves
energy; and reduces solid waste,
air and water pollutants, and
greenhouse gases that contrib-
ute to global warming.
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What Is CPG?
The Resource Conservation and Recov-
ery Act (RCRA) requires procuring
agencies to buy recycled-content prod-
ucts designated by EPA in the CPG. Issued in
May 1995, the first CPG designated 19 new
products (including binders, office recycling
containers, office waste receptacles, plastic
desktop accessories, plastic trash bags, and
toner cartridges) and incorporated five previ-
ously designated items in eight product cat-
egories. The first CPG update (CPG II) was
published in November 1997 and designated
an additional 12 items, including plastic enve-
lopes and printer ribbons. A second CPG up-
date (CPG El) was published in January 2000
and designated an additional 18 items, includ-
ing plastic binders, plastic clipboards, plastic
file folders, plastic clip portfolios, and plastic
presentation folders. The third CPG update
(CPG IV), published in April 2004, designated
seven new products, including office furniture.
The fourth CPG update (CPG V), published in
September 2007, designated one new item and
revised another designation, but did not des-
ignate any new nonpaper office products. For
more information, visit .
Procuring agencies include all federal agen-
cies, and any state or local government agen-
cies or government contractors that use
appropriated federal funds to purchase
designated items. If your agency spends more"
than $10,000 per year on a product designated
in the CPG, you are required to purchase it
with the highest recycled-content level prac-
ticable. The CPG also applies to lease con-
tracts covering designated items. Executive
Order (E.O.) 13423 and the Federal Acquisi-
tion Regulation also call for an increase in the
federal government's use of recycled-content
and environmentally preferable products.
Once any new items are designated in a pub-
lished CPG update, an agency has 1 year to
develop an affirmative procurement program
(or revise an existing one) to include these
new items. In previous years, agencies have
had to revise their affirmative procurement
programs to incorporate buy-recycled require-
ments for items such as recycling containers,-
waste receptacles,- plastic desktop accessories,-
plastic covered, paper covered, and pressboard
binders,- trash bags,- toner cartridges,- printer
ribbons,- plastic envelopes,- plastic binders,-
plastic clipboards,- plastic file folders,- plastic
clip portfolios,- and plastic presentation fold-
ers. Agencies must have revised their affirma-
tive procurement programs to add the items
designated under CPG IV by April 30, 2005.
This effort might have involved reviewing
specifications for this product and eliminat-
ing provisions that pose barriers to procuring
it with recycled content (such as aesthetic
requirements unrelated to product perfor-
mance). Also, be aware that paper envelopes
were designated in CPG I. Recommended re-
cycled-content ranges for paper envelopes are
addressed in the RMAN for paper products
and also can be found in the Buy-Recycled
Series Paper Products resource guide.
The CPG acknowledges
stances might arise that preclude the purchase
of products made with recovered matem
Your agency may purchase designated items
that do not contain recovered materials if it
determines that: 1) the price of a given des-
ignated item made with recovered materials
is unreasonably high; 2) there is inadequate
competition (not enough sources of supply); 3)
unusual and unreasonable delays would result
from obtaining the item; or 4) the recycled-
content item does not meet the agency's rea-
sonable performance specifications.
NONPAPER OFFICE PRODUCTS
PAGE 2
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How Do I Purchase Recycled-
Content Nonpaper Office Products?
EPA issues purchasing guidance in
RMANs, which are designed to make
it as easy as possible to buy the des-
ignated items. The RMANs recommend
recycled-content levels to look for when
purchasing office products, as shown in
the table below. Following the RMANs'
recommended levels will help ensure your
affirmative procurement program and stan-
dards meet the buy-recycled requirements.
The RMANs also provide other purchasing
guidance. Please refer to for more information on
individual products.
Rather than specifying just one level of
recycled content, the RMANs recommend
ranges that reflect actual market condi-
tions. The recommendations are based on
market research identifying recycled-con-
tent products that are commercially avail-
able, are competitively priced, and meet
buyers' quality standards.
Access EPA's online recycled-content prod-
ucts database by going to and selecting "Supplier Database." See
the last section of this resource guide for
other helpful resources.
EPA's Recommended Content Levels for Nonpaper Office Products
NONPAPER OFFICE
PRODUCT
Recycling Containers and
Waste Receptacles1
Desktop Accessories
including Desk Organizers,
Sorters, Trays, and Memo,
Note, and Pencil Holders1
Binders1
MATERIAL RECOVERED
Plastic
Steel2
Paper
- Corrugated
- Solid Fiber Boxes
- Industrial Paperboard
Plastic (Polystyrene [PS])
Plastic-covered
Paper-covered
Pressboard
Solid Plastic
- High-density
Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Polyethylene (PE)
- Polyethylene
Terephthalate (PET)
- Miscellaneous Plastics
POST-CONSUMER
RECOVERED CONTENT
20-100%
16%
25-50%
40%
40-80%
25-80%
RECOVERED
75-100%
20%
90%
30-50%
100%
80%
25-30%
25-50%
100%
25-50%
90-100%
50%
90%
30-50%
100%
80%
NONPAPER OFFICE PRODUCTS
PAGE 3
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NONPAPER OFFICE
PRODUCT
Trash Bags1
Toner Cartridges1-3
Printer Ribbons1-4
Plastic Envelopes1
Plastic Clipboards1
Plastic File Folders1
Plastic Clip Portfolios
Plastic Presentation
Folders1
Office Furniture
MATERIAL RECOVERED
POST-CONSUMER
RECOVERED CONTENT
TOTAL RECOVERED
CONTENT
Plastic
See Endnote 3
See Endnote 4
Plastic
HDPE
PS
Miscellaneous Plastic
HDPE
HDPE
HDPE
10-100%
See Endnote 3
See Endnote 4
25%
90%
50%
15%
90%
90%
90%
—
See Endnote 3
See Endnote 4
25-30%
90%
50%
15-80%
90%
90%
90%
Furniture Structure
- Steel2
- Aluminum
Particleboard/Fiberboard
Component5
- Wood or Wood Composite
- Agricultural Fiber
Fabric
-PET
Plastic Furniture
Component
-HDPE
Remanufactured or
Refurbished Furniture
- Various
16%
Greater than 0%
100%
70-75%
25-75%
25-30%
75-100%
80-100%
100%
100%
95%
25-75%
1 EPAs recommendations do not preclude procuring agencies from purchasing nonpaper office products made from the materials manufactured using other
materials, such as wood or cloth. EPA simply recommends that procuring agencies, when purchasing nonpaper office products made from the materials
designated in the procurement guidelines, purchase these products containing recovered materials.
' The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table reflect the fact that the designated item is generally made from steel manufactured
in a Basic Oxygen Furnace (EOF). Steel from the EOF process contains 25-30 percent total recovered materials, of which 16 percent is post-consumer steel.
3 EPA recommends the return of used toner cartridges for remanufacturing and reuse or purchasing a remanufactured or recycled-content replacement car-
tridge.
* EPA recommends the procurement of printer ribbon reinking or reloading services, or reinked or reloaded printer ribbons.
5 Particleboard and fiberboard used in the wood components of office furniture also may contain other recovered cellulosic materials, including paper, wheat
straw, and bagasse. The percentages of these materials contained in the product also would count toward the recovered materials content level of the item.
In addition, while EPA has no evidence or indication that wood treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is currently used in office furniture, EPA is
not recommending the use of CCA-treated wood as a recovered material in office furniture. The arsenic in CCA is a known human carcinogen and EPA is
currently conducting a thorough and comprehensive risk assessment of CCA as a part of the pesticide reregistration process for CCA. In addition, EPA is
conducting a risk assessment for children who contact CCA treated wood playsets and decks.
NONPAPER OFFICE PRODUCTS
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How Can I Get More Information?
T
his resource guide and the following resourc-
es on buying recycled-coiiteiit products can
be accessed on the Internet.
Information Available
From EPA
The CPG: . This site de-
scribes EPA's effort to facilitate the procurement
of products containing recovered materials,
including information on CPG and RMANs, and
an online database of manufacturers and suppli-
ers of designated items.
EPA CPG Program: . EPA's EPP program encour-
ages and assists federal agencies in purchasing
environmentally preferable products and ser-
vices. The site explains EPA's proposed guiding
principles for including environmental perfor-
mance in purchasing decision-making, and posts
case studies of successful pilot projects in both
the public and private sectors.
Jobs Through Recycling: .
EPA's Jobs Through Recycling program stimulates
economic growth and recycling market develop-
ment by assisting businesses and supporting a
network of state and regional recycling contacts.
This Web site provides information on financing
and technical assistance for recycling businesses,
as well as other market development tools.
Municipal Solid Waste: . Waste-
Wise is a free, voluntary EPA program through
which organizations eliminate costly municipal
solid waste, benefitting their bottom line and the
environment. The program provides hands-on
assistance to members to help them purchase or
manufacture recycled-content products, prevent
waste, and recycle solid waste materials.
Federal Register (FR): and . Notices promulgat-
ing CPG I (60 FR 21370) and RMAN I (60 FR
21386), May 1, 1995. FR notices promulgating
CPG II (62 FR 60961) and RMAN II (62 FR
60975), November 13, 1997. FR notices promul-
gating CPG III (65 FR 3070) and RMAN III (65
FR 3082), January 19, 2000. FR notices promul-
gating CPG IV (69 FR 24028) and RMAN IV (69
FR 24039), April 30, 2004. FR notices promul-
gating CPG V (72 FR 52475) and RMAN V (72
FR 52561), September 14, 2007.
Other Government
Sources
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
Environmental Products Overview: . GSA offers a variety of
environmental products and services to its federal
customers to assist them in their efforts to com-
ply with procurement responsibilities outlined in
federal environmental laws and regulations. This
overview contains information about environ-
mentally oriented products and services in the
Federal Supply Service Supply System. To access
GSA Advantage!, GSA's Internet -based ordering
system, and order any GSA product, visit .
Recycling Collection Containers and Spe-
cialty Waste Receptacles, Federal Supply
Schedule Group 72, Part 7, Schedule B: Lists
a variety of containers and receptacles avail-
able for purchase. For more information,
contact GSA.
Environmental Products Guide: . This
guide is designed to help procurement officials
identify environmentally preferable products
and services. It contains nearly 3,000 items,
including many recycled-content products.
NONPAPER OFFICE PRODUCTS
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Office of the Federal Environmental Executive
(OFEE): . OFEE's mission is to
advocate, coordinate, and assist environmental
efforts of the federal community in waste preven-
tion, recycling, affirmative procurement of CPG
items, and the acquisition of recycled and envi-
ronmentally preferable products and services.
Greening the Government: A Guide to
Implementing Executive Order 13101:
. This guide
provides detailed information on the require-
ments of E.O. 13101, which established a
process for amending the CPG and issuing
RMANs. E.O. 13101 preceded E.O. 13423
and established many requirements and
definitions that are still in effect. Updated
in February 2001, the E.O. is available from
OFEE at .
Executive Order 13423: Strengthening
Federal Environmental, Energy, and Trans-
portation Management: < http://ofee.gov/
eo/eo!3423_main.asp>. Published in January
2007, this Order replaced E.O. 13101 and
requires federal agencies to purchase green
products and services, including recycled-
coiitent products, energy- and water-efficient
products, biobased products, and environ-
mentally preferable products and services.
Although E.O. 13423 revoked E.O. 13101,
EPA continues to follow certain procedures
of E.O. 13101 since they are consistent with
the requirements of RCRA 6002 (e).
Federal Green Purchasing Program: . The Federal Trade
Commission issued Guides for the Use of Envi-
ronmental Marketing Claims in May 1998.
California Recycled-Content Product Database:
. This site contains
information on reasons to buy recycled-content
products and how to procure them, and pro-
vides access to a database with information on
products, as well as manufacturers, distributors,
reprocessors, mills, and converters across the
country who procure or produce these products.
King County Recycled Product Procurement Pro-
gram: . This
site describes the tools and techniques developed
by King County, Washington, agencies for pur-
chasing recycled products.
Additional Sources
Buy Recycled Business Alliance: . The Alliance includes over 3,200
companies and organizations committed to
increasing the use of recycled-content products
and materials in their day-to-day operations. The
Alliance offers educational materials, a quarterly
newsletter, and product-specific guides. Public
purchasing entities can join for free.
Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD): .
The JWOD Program creates jobs and training
opportunities for people who are blind or have
other severe disabilities. JWOD's online "environ-
mentally friendly products store" provides office
supplies, including several CPG-designated items
such as recycled-content clipboards.
Official Recycled Products Guide: . This
directory lists more than 5,000 manufacturers
and distributors of recycled-content products.
Recycled Plastic Products Source Book: . This booklet lists
more than 1,400 plastic products from approxi-
mately 300 manufacturers, including iionpaper
office products.
Recycling Data Network Information Services:
. This
commercial Web site provides access, on a sub-
scription basis, to a recycled-content products
database of over 4,500 listings in 700 product
classifications. It also provides a reference guide
and a newsletter. The product database is consid-
ered to be the largest of its kind.
NONPAPER OFFICE PRODUCTS
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