What does the current waste landscape look like?

It’s clear that we have a trash problem. Americans produce 4.9 pounds of waste per person each day. That’s almost 300 million tons each year from one country alone!

Thankfully, many people and companies, like Greenerprinter, are working hard to find ways to reduce the amount of wasted material in our world. Multiple global recycling initiatives have been started as a way to reuse material multiple times. Thanks to these initiatives, materials that would have been sent to landfills are able to be broken down and reused to make new products, like our 100% recycled hangtags.

What is post-consumer recycled content?

Post-consumer recycled content (PCR) is the name for materials made from the everyday items that we recycle at home. The plastic milk jugs, old papers, and shipping boxes that are collected by municipal recycling programs are broken down into raw materials that are used to create new products. Many materials have the potential to be reused multiple times. In the US, about 75% of our waste could be recycled. Surprisingly though, not every item that is made from recycled materials contains post-consumer recycled content.

Is domestic recycling really that important?

A strong domestic recycling system can make all the difference in creating a circular waste economy and increasing the amount of material that is able to be recycled. Here are a few benefits that a stronger recycling system would bring to the US:

Environmental protection – A better recycling system would reduce the amount of waste in our landfills, reduce the amount of natural resources needed to create products, and prevent pollution from the harvesting of natural resources.
Economic Gain – The system would create a currently untapped market for recycled materials and resources. It would also reduce energy costs needed for production.
Local Community Support – Additionally, this system would create jobs in communities across America in the recycling and manufacturing industries. It also reduces waste in local areas which has immense health benefits for residents.

What are the benefits of using post-consumer recycled content for printed products?

Reduces greenhouse gas emissions. For every ton of paper recycled, 3.6 million tons of CO2 emissions are eliminated.
Reduces the number of trees needed for virgin fibers. Recycled paper uses recovered fibers from recycling instead of virgin fibers fresh from trees.
Requires less energy. Creating recycled paper requires less energy for processing.

Do consumers favor recycled products?

It’s no surprise that consumers want to feel good about what they’re buying. Recent studies show that 61% of US consumers say that sustainability is an “important purchase criterion”. Using packaging that is made from post-consumer content and is easily recycled, like Greenerprinter’s hangtags, is an easy way to tap into this demand. Companies that are proactive with sustainable measures will stand out to eco-conscious consumers.

Image by Responsible Package from Twitter

How many times can paper be recycled?

While post-consumer content is extremely eco-friendly, its fibers weaken over successive recycling cycles. This means that paper fibers cannot be recycled indefinitely. For example, an ordinary sheet of paper that you might find in your home office printer can only be recycled 5 to 7 times before the fibers become too short to hold the paper together.

To combat this, new, virgin paper fibers are often added to the pulp when creating recycled papers. This creates a blend of PCR and fresh materials that maintain a balance of sustainability and high-quality, usable paper. Recycled paper will be labeled with what percentage of the fiber is recycled versus new. For example, recycled paper that is labeled as 70% PCR will include 70% recycled fiber and 30% virgin fiber.

Why should we prioritize using post-consumer waste?

Post-consumer waste often contains contaminants, like stickers and adhesives, that make it more challenging to recycle than the purer pre-consumer content. So why focus on PCW?

Creating a market for PCW brings value to traditionally less desirable materials. Emphasizing the use of these materials will bring attention to how recycling actually works. Hopefully, this will lead to investments in all areas of the recycling process, including Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs), manufacturers, and waste collection companies. Examples like Greenerprinter’s stickers made with high levels of PCW content show that this can be an effective approach. With more demand, we can push for companies to create more products like our eco-friendly stickers and expand our sustainable options.

Ready to transition to PCR print and packaging?

No matter if you’re a consumer or a producer, by supporting products made from recycled content, you’re directly contributing to a cleaner planet and a better future. Your printed materials and packaging are a reflection of your brand’s values, so finding the right supplier is extremely important. Greenerprinter is here to help! We are more than happy to support your PCR journey and assist you with learning about the importance of recycled products. We have a wide range of recycled products and are excited to collaborate with you to make your vision a reality. Check out our most popular product offerings here!

Lead photo by Alfonso Navarro on Unsplash

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