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Why should I buy recycled?
Most Cary residents help the recycling effort by putting materials in their recycling bin or by taking their recyclables to a drop-off center. The next step to ensure that recycling really works is buy materials made with recycled content.
When you purchase recycled-content products, you help increase the demand for recyclables. If consumers purchase more products with recycled content, manufacturers will continue to use recycled materials in their products and expand the usage to even more products.
Every time a consumer buys a product made with recycled content, manufacturers become more willing to buy recyclables and expand the types of recyclables they will use in their products.
What does the recycling symbol mean when its on consumer products - does it mean the item is made from recycled materials or that the item can be recycled?
 It may surprise you to know that the recycling logo doesn't necessarily mean either. Unfortunately, the use of the recycling logo is not regulated by law. If the label only says recycle or recyclable it may contain no recycled content. It also may not be possible to recycle that item in your area. The recycling symbol to the left is no indication of recycled content or recycling possibility.
If you want to make sure you are buying a product made from recycled materials check the label for WORDS that indicate the product is made from recycled materials. One example is on the left. Seeing a logo doesn't really mean anything. When buying materials, we urge you to look for labels that indicate the highest percentage of post consumer recycled content.
What is the difference between post consumer and pre consumer recycled material?
Post consumer materials indicates the product was made with materials that were recycled by residents and businesses. Pre consumer recycled materials are made with industry scraps.
Buying Recycled Myths
Recycled Products are Inferior in Quality
This is simply not true. A 1996 survey by the Buy Recycled Business Alliance asked hundred of corporate purchasing agents about their satisfaction with recycled content products. 97% of the respondents indicated they were pleased with the results
Recycled products are hard to find
That used to be true, but thousands of products are now made with some recycled content. All steel made in the United States has recycled content. Most glass and aluminum does so as well. Many paper products, including white printer paper can be found with recycled content. Just remember to look for the post consumer percentage on the product. You can also find clothes, purses, tool boxes, and many other items made with recycled materials.
Recycled paper gets stuck in copiers and printers
Recycled paper, just like virgin paper comes in a wide variety of thickness and colors. It's possible to get recycled paper that looks and feels exactly like virgin paper. There is one that is bound to be right for your needs.
Directories of Companies that Sell Recycled Materials
N.C. State Purchase and Contract
Public Works & Utilities Department Homepage
Town of Cary Homepage
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