Recycled Paper Equal in Quality
Over the years recycled paper has been dogged with the stigma of being a second class quality of paper, not only more expensive,
but of insufficient quality and insubstantial composition.
However, a recent study sponsored by the US Conference of Mayors has proved that paper containing up to thirty-percent post consumer fiber is of equal quality to similar papers used in the office setting.
As part of the study, three office equipment manufacturers (Canon USA, Inc., Hewlett-Packaard Company, and Lexmark International, Inc.) and the US Government Printing Office (GPO) evaluated the quality and performance of multipurpose recycled content copy paper. Their results: “recycled paper works just fine.”
Unlike private industry, for the last six years federal agencies have been mandated by executive order to use recycled paper with post-consumer content. President Clinton’s executive order required federal agencies to use paper with 20 percent post-consumer content by the end of 1994. In December 1998, the level increased to 30 percent, to further expand recycling markets. By increasing the post-consumer content to 30%, there will be 13 percent reduction in the amount of solid waste requiring disposal.
Ten years ago, producing high quality copy paper with any post-consumer content was thought to be impossible. Since then, advances in paper recycling technologies and improved office paper collection efforts have made it possible to use increasing amounts of post-consumer fiber in printing and writing papers.
When the 30% PC content goal was announced 5 years ago, U.S. paper companies accepted the challenge. They took advantage of the lead time to perfect and expand their recycled paper manufacturing technologies and operations. Member companies of the Recycling at Work program, including office equipment manufacturers and paper producers, decided to evaluate the quality and performance of the new generation of recycled content papers to facilitate a smooth transition toward their use.
During the Fall and Winter 1998, Canon USA, Hewlett-Packard, and Lexmark, evaluated three bands of 30% PC multipurpose recycled content paper using paper with 20-23% PC and virgin fiber content as controls. GPO also tested over a dozen brands of 30% PC copy paper.
Altogether, over 2 million sheets were tested on various types and models of copiers, laser printers, and ink jet printers for physical properties and performance. Tests cover paper feeding, reliability, image quality, toner fixability, smoothness, and curl, among other things. The 30% PC studies showed equivalent performance to 20-25% PC and virgin papers.
Originally printed in Recycling Services’ company newsletter March 2000 issue.
However, a recent study sponsored by the US Conference of Mayors has proved that paper containing up to thirty-percent post consumer fiber is of equal quality to similar papers used in the office setting.
As part of the study, three office equipment manufacturers (Canon USA, Inc., Hewlett-Packaard Company, and Lexmark International, Inc.) and the US Government Printing Office (GPO) evaluated the quality and performance of multipurpose recycled content copy paper. Their results: “recycled paper works just fine.”
“The study presented by the US Conference of Mayors adds validity, once again to the old argument that performance,
together with price and availability, should not be impediments to using recycled content copier paper.”
- Fran McPoland,
Federal Environmental Executive
- Fran McPoland,
Federal Environmental Executive
Unlike private industry, for the last six years federal agencies have been mandated by executive order to use recycled paper with post-consumer content. President Clinton’s executive order required federal agencies to use paper with 20 percent post-consumer content by the end of 1994. In December 1998, the level increased to 30 percent, to further expand recycling markets. By increasing the post-consumer content to 30%, there will be 13 percent reduction in the amount of solid waste requiring disposal.
Ten years ago, producing high quality copy paper with any post-consumer content was thought to be impossible. Since then, advances in paper recycling technologies and improved office paper collection efforts have made it possible to use increasing amounts of post-consumer fiber in printing and writing papers.
When the 30% PC content goal was announced 5 years ago, U.S. paper companies accepted the challenge. They took advantage of the lead time to perfect and expand their recycled paper manufacturing technologies and operations. Member companies of the Recycling at Work program, including office equipment manufacturers and paper producers, decided to evaluate the quality and performance of the new generation of recycled content papers to facilitate a smooth transition toward their use.
During the Fall and Winter 1998, Canon USA, Hewlett-Packard, and Lexmark, evaluated three bands of 30% PC multipurpose recycled content paper using paper with 20-23% PC and virgin fiber content as controls. GPO also tested over a dozen brands of 30% PC copy paper.
Altogether, over 2 million sheets were tested on various types and models of copiers, laser printers, and ink jet printers for physical properties and performance. Tests cover paper feeding, reliability, image quality, toner fixability, smoothness, and curl, among other things. The 30% PC studies showed equivalent performance to 20-25% PC and virgin papers.
Originally printed in Recycling Services’ company newsletter March 2000 issue.
