RESOURCES ABOUT BUYING RECYCLED PRODUCTS

United States Environmental Protection Agency 
EPA Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5305W)
EPA530-B-98-007 
September 1998 


THE RCRA HOTLINE 

The RCRA Hotline is a publicly accessible service that
provides current information on the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (RCRA) and several other U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) programs. The Hotline responds to
factual questions on federal EPA regulations as well as
requests for relevant documents.

The Hotline responds to questions from a broad audience of
callers with diverse backgrounds and varying degrees of
regulatory knowledge. Callers can obtain regulatory
information from a Hotline staff member who specializes in
the RCRA program, or they can order EPA publications
pertaining to any RCRA program area. The Hotline also
provides information on EPA's electronic resources, which
include public access Internet servers, electronic mailing
lists, and bulletin board systems. 

RCRA information specialists try to answer every question.
Some questions, however, are not within the scope of the
Hotline's services. Information specialists cannot answer
questions that require interpretation of EPA regulations or 
policies, demand legal analysis, involve unresolved issues,
or pertain to state-specific requirements. Such questions
are referred to the appropriate EPA office, federal or state
agency, or other source.

The RCRA Hotline operates Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6
p.m., eastern time. For information or to order a
publication, call the RCRA Hotline at 800 424-9346 (TDD 800
553-7672) or, in the Washington, DC, area, call 703 412-9810
(TDD 703 412-3323).


ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO THE OFFICE OF SOLID WASTE 

The Office of Solid Waste (OSW) provides a wide variety of
information about hazardous and nonhazardous waste on the
Internet and on certain bulletin board systems. OSW
materials are located at <www.epa.gov/osw>. Selected OSW
documents also can be found at <ftp.epa.gov/pub/epaoswer>;
Login: Anonymous; Password: Your e-mail address.

Federal Register notices are arranged by date, from October
1994, and can be found at: <www.epa.gov/ EPA-WASTE>. 
Agencywide information is available at <www.epa.gov/>.


ACCESSING ELECTRONIC MAILING LISTS (LISTSERVERS)

    To receive a list of all EPA listservers, send an e-mail
request to: <listserver@unixmail.rtpnc.epa.gov>. The message
should read: LISTS.

    To subscribe to a listserver, send an e-mail to:
<listserver@unixmail.rtpnc.epa.gov>. The message should
read: SUBSCRIBE<list name> <first name> <last name> (for
example, SUBSCRIBE EPA-WASTE JOHN SMITH).

************************************************************
BUYING RECYCLED IN THE GOVERNMENT 

    As part of its continuing program to promote the use of
products containing recovered materials, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues Comprehensive
Procurement Guidelines (CPG) and Recovered Materials
Advisory Notices (RMAN) each year. The CPG is the basis of
the federal government buy-recycled program and designates
products containing recovered materials for government 
agencies to purchase.Federal, state, and local government
agencies or their contractors that purchase more than
$10,000 a year worth of these products must evaluate the
feasibility of purchasing these designated products. The
product designations are organized into eight product
categories. The RMANs provide recommendations for purchasing
the products designated in the CPG.

    Along with the CPG and RMANs published each year, EPA
publishes eco-purchasing fact sheets, lists of manufacturers
or vendors of the designated products, and technical
background and supporting documents that provide more
detailed information about each of the designated items.
Through use of the guidelines and related information, the
federal government hopes to expand its use of products
containing recovered materials and to help develop markets
for them in other sectors of the economy. 

    The products currently designated in the CPG are: 

PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS
*   Printing and writing fiber (cotton fiber, text and       
    cover, papeteries, offset, reprographic, forms bond,     
    tablet, envelope, supercalendered, machine finished      
    groundwood, check safety, coated, carbonless, file       
    folders, dyed filing products, index and card stock,     
    pressboard, and tags and tickets)

*   Newsprint 

*   Commercial sanitary tissue products (bathroom tissue,    
    paper towels, paper napkins, facial tissue, and general  
    purpose industrial wipers) 

*   Paperboard and packaging products (corrugated            
    containers, solid fiber boxes, folding cartons,          
    industrial paperboard, miscellaneous, padded mailers,    
    carrierboard, and brown papers) 
    
*   Miscellaneous paper products (tray liners) 

VEHICULAR PRODUCTS 
    Engine Coolants 
    Re-refined Lubricating Oils 
    Retread Tires 

CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS 
    Building Insulation Products 
    Carpet 
    Cement and Concrete Containing Coal Fly Ash 
    Cement and Concrete Containing Ground Granulated Blast   
      Furnace Slag
    Consolidated and Reprocessed Latex Paints 
    Floor Tiles
    Laminated Paperboard 
    Patio Blocks 
    Shower and Restroom Dividers/Partitions 
    Structural Fiberboard 

TRANSPORTATION PRODUCTS 
    Channelizers 
    Delineators 
    Flexible Delineators 
    Parking Stops 
    Traffic Barricades
    Traffic Cones 

PARK AND RECREATION PRODUCTS 
    Plastic Fencing 
    Playground Surfaces 
    Running Tracks 

LANDSCAPING PRODUCTS 
    Garden and Soaker Hoses 
    Hydraulic Mulch 
    Lawn and Garden Edging 
    Yard Trimmings Compost 

NON-PAPER OFFICE PRODUCTS 
    Binders 
    Office Recycling Containers 
    Office Waste Receptacles 
    Plastic Desktop Accessories 
    Plastic Envelopes 
    Plastic Trash Bags 
    Printer Ribbons 
    Toner Cartridges 

MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS 
    Pallets 


ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT 

    This document provides abstracts of the fact sheets and
other nonregulatory, informational resources relevant to the
Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines. Recent Federal
Register notices, fact sheets, technical background
documents, and supporting documents can be found on the
Internet at <www.epa.gov/cpg>.

HOW TO ORDER PUBLICATIONS 

    All publications are available at no charge from EPA. To
order a publication, call the RCRA Hotline at 800 424-9346
(TDD 800 553-7672) or, in the Washington, DC, area, call 703
412-9810 (TDD 703 412-3323). When ordering, please mention
the order numbers. You also can order documents via e-mail
by sending a request to <rcra-docket@epamail.epa.gov> or via
regular mail by writing to RCRA Information Center (5305W),
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20460-0002 (this address is for mailing
purposes only). Finally, many of these documents are
available on the Internet through EPA's Office of Solid
Waste Web site at <www.epa.gov/osw>.

 
FOR MORE INFORMATION 

    For a more comprehensive list of solid and hazardous
waste publications, order the Catalog of Hazardous and Solid
Waste Publications, Eleventh Edition (EPA530-B-98-001) from
the RCRA Hotline or the RCRA Information Center (see above).


************************************************************
BUY-RECYCLED SERIES

1997 Buy-Recycled Series 

    A series of fact sheets discussing the comprehensive
procurement guidelines, which require federal, state, and
local agencies and government contractors using appropriated 
federal funds to give preference to buying products made
from  recovered materials. The publications also describe
Recovered Materials Advisory Notices, which recommend
recycled-content levels for such purchases. Handy tables are
included that list the specific recovered material content
to look for when purchasing products covered under the
guidelines. Case studies and sources for additional
information also are included. 

Construction Products: Structural fiberboard, laminated
fiberboard, rock wool insulation, fiberglass insulation,
cellulose insulation (loose-fill and spray-on), perlite
composite board insulation, rigid foam insulation (plastic
rigid foam, polyisocyanurate/polyurethane), foam-in-place
insulation, glass fiber reinforced insulation, phenolic
rigid foam insulation, floor tiles (heavy duty/commercial
use), patio blocks, polyester carpet fiber face, latex paint
(consolidated, reprocessed), and shower and restroom
dividers and partitions.
11/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA530-F-97-035 

Landscaping Products: Hydraulic mulch (paper, wood/paper),
yard trimmings compost, garden hose, soaker hose, lawn and
garden edging. 
11/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA530-F-97-034 

Non-Paper Office Products: Recycling containers and waste
receptacles, plastic desk-top accessories, binders, plastic
trash bags, toner cartridges, printer ribbons, and plastic
envelopes.
11/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA530-F-97-033 

Pallets (Miscellaneous Products): Wood, plastic, and
paperboard pallets.
11/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA 530-F-97-031 

Park and Recreation Products: Playground surfaces, running
tracks, and plastic fencing.
11/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA530-F-97-032 

Transportation Products: Traffic cones, traffic barricades,
parking stops, and traffic control devices.
11/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA530-F-97-036 

Vehicular Products: Re-refined oil, retread tires, and
engine coolants.
11/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA530-F-97-037 

1996 Buy-Recycled Series: Paper Products

    This document discusses the comprehensive procurement
guideline, which requires federal agencies and their
contractors to give preference to buying certain items made
from recovered materials, including some paper products. The
document also describes Recovered Materials Advisory
Notices, which recommend recycled-content levels for such
purchases. An easy-to-use table lists the specific
recovered-material content to look for when purchasing paper
products covered under the guideline. Sources for additional
information also are included. Paper products covered
include printing and writing fiber (cotton fiber, text and
cover, papeteries, offset, reprographic, forms bond, tablet,
envelope, supercalendered, machine finished groundwood,
check safety, coated, carbonless, file folders, dyed filing
products, index and card stock, pressboard, and tags and
tickets), newsprint, commercial sanitary tissue products
(bathroom tissue, paper towels, paper napkins, facial
tissue, and general purpose industrial wipers), paperboard
and packaging products (corrugated containers, solid fiber
boxes, folding cartons, industrial paperboard,
miscellaneous, padded mailers, carrierboard, and brown
papers), and miscellaneous paper products such as tray
liners.
04/15/1996 
Order Number: EPA530-F-96-014 


GENERAL BUY-RECYCLED RESOURCES

Environmental Fact Sheet: EPA Expands Comprehensive
Procurement Guidelines (CPG)

    This fact sheet discusses items that must contain
recycled content when purchased by government agencies and
contractors. It discusses 12 new products added to the CPG:
consolidated and reprocessed latex paint, shower and
restroom dividers and partitions, channelizers, delineators,
flexible delineators, parking stops, plastic fencing, garden
and soaker hoses, lawn and garden edging, plastic envelopes,
printer ribbons, and pallets. The fact sheet also helps
purchasers understand the government's guidelines for buying
recycled products. 
11/15/1998 
Order Number: EPA530-F-97-049 

Environmental Fact Sheet: EPA Guideline for Purchasing
Building Insulation Containing Recovered Materials

    This fact sheet, which refers to EPA's guideline issued
February 17, 1989, recommends that procuring agencies use
minimum-content standards for the amount of recovered
materials in insulation products. An EPA standards table is
included.
06/15/1991 
Order Number: EPA530-SW-91-044 

Environmental Fact Sheet: EPA Guideline for Purchasing
Cement and Concrete Containing Fly Ash

    This fact sheet, which refers to EPA's guideline issued
January 28, 1983, recommends that coal fly ash is not to
exceed a maximum ratio of water to cementitious material
(e.g., w/c+f, where w, c, and f represent weights of water,
Portland cement, and fly ash, respectively.)  
01/15/1992 
Order Number: EPA530-SW-91-086 

Environmental Fact Sheet: EPA Guideline for Purchasing Paper
and Paper Products

    This fact sheet, which refers to EPA's guideline issued
June 22, 1988, recommends that procuring agencies review
paper specifications to remove subtle barriers for
purchasing paper containing recovered materials. Minimum
standards tables are included.
06/15/1991 
Order Number: EPA530-SW-91-046 

Environmental Fact Sheet: EPA Guideline for Purchasing
Re-Refined Lubricating Oil

    This fact sheet, which refers to EPA's guideline issued
June 30, 1988, recommends that procuring agents not require
lubricating oils containing re-refined oil meet any
performance standard higher than that required of virgin
lubricating oil. American Petroleum Institute and military
specifications are included.
06/15/1991 
Order Number: EPA530-SW-91-043 

Environmental Fact Sheet: EPA Guideline for Purchasing
Retread Tires

    This fact sheet refers to EPA's guideline, issued
November 17, 1988, for purchasing retread tires. It covers
recommended retread preference, obtaining retreading
services, purchasing retread tires, federal regulation of
retread tires, and principal federal procuring agencies.
06/15/1991 
Order Number: EPA530-SW-91-045 

Environmental Fact Sheet: EPA Issues Comprehensive
Procurement Guideline

    A listing of the government's guidelines for
recycled-product purchasing. It includes 24 products that
must contain recycled content when purchased by government
agencies and contractors. The fact sheet also describes ways
to create, promote, and evaluate an effective buy-recycled
program.
04/15/1995 
Order Number: EPA530-F-95-010

Environmental Fact Sheet: Municipal Solid Waste Prevention
in Federal Agencies

    This fact sheet highlights waste prevention
opportunities in federal agencies. It explains the
principles of waste prevention and provides examples of
successful federal programs.
10/15/1992 
Order Number: EPA530-F-92-016 

Environmental Fact Sheet: Purchasing and Maintaining Retread
Passenger Tires

    This fact sheet describes how fleet managers and vehicle
operators can help reduce the quantity of scrap tires
generated annually through waste prevention, proper tire
maintenance, and tire retreading. It includes tips for
proper tire maintenance.
09/15/1995 
Order Number: EPA530-F-95-019 

WasteWise Tip Sheet: Buying or Manufacturing Recycled
Products

    Defines "buying recycled" and recycled content terms.
Discusses the benefits of buying or manufacturing goods with
recycled content. Addresses how the purchase of recycled
products and recovered raw materials fits into EPA's
WasteWise program. Lists types of products available with
recycled content. Treats cost and quality of recycled
products and recovered raw materials. Cites sources of
additional information.
01/15/1994 
Order Number: EPA530-F-94-005 

WasteWise Update (Issue #6: Remanufactured Products: Good as
New)

    Focuses on remanufactured products. Assists WasteWise
partners in becoming knowledgeable about the variety of
remanufactured goods available and introduces issues to
consider when purchasing them. Lists remanufacturing trade
associations and related businesses. Includes furniture,
toner cartridges, copiers, medical sensors, street lights,
and tires.
01/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA530-N-97-002 

WasteWise Update (Issue #8: Closing the Loop)

    Explores the purchase and manufacture of
recycled-content products. Dispels common myths about buying
recycled and offers "getting started" tips from veteran
WasteWise partners. In addition, provides suggestions on how
to track the purchase of recycled-content products. Includes
special feature that discusses government purchasing issues.
12/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA530-N-97-008 

WasteWise Update (Issue #9: Building Supplier Partnerships)

    Contains spotlight section on government purchasing.
Consists of tips and advice for local and state governments
on starting and maintaining a successful environmental
purchasing program. Includes success stories and a list of
publications and Internet resources.
04/15/1998 
Order Number: EPA530-N-98-003 


LISTS OF MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS

Construction Products Containing Recovered Materials

    A list of manufacturers and suppliers of building
insulation, plastic rigid foam insulation, structural
fiberboard and laminated paperboard, cement and concrete
with coal fly ash, cement and concrete with granulated blast
furnace slag, carpet, floor tiles, patio blocks, shower and
restroom dividers, and reprocessed and consolidated latex
paint. Information such as the company names, address,
contact name, phone number, and fax number are included. The
listings are based on information provided by the
manufacturer and do not represent an endorsement by EPA.
10/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA530-B-97-014 

Landscaping Products Containing Recovered Materials

    Lists manufacturers and suppliers of recovered-content
landscaping products (hydraulic mulch, yard trimmings
compost, garden and soaker hoses, and lawn and garden
edging). It includes each company's name, address, contact
person, phone number, and fax number. The listings are based
on information provided by the manufacturer and do not
represent an endorsement by EPA.
10/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA530-B-97-012 

Mills That Manufacture Printing and Writing Paper, Computer
Paper, Office Paper, Envelopes, Bristols, and Coated
Printing and Writing Papers, Using Recovered Paper

    A list of mills that use recovered paper to manufacture
printing and writing paper, computer paper, office paper,
envelopes, bristols, and coated printing and writing papers.
Arranged alphabetically by corporate name, the listings
include a main address, contact person, phone number, fax
number, and recycled-content brands manufactured, including
paper grade, and total, preconsumer, and postconsumer
recovered paper content.
10/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA530-B-97-008 

Mills That Produce Newsprint Containing Postconsumer
Recovered Paper

    A list of mills that produce newsprint containing
postconsumer recovered paper, arranged alphabetically by
corporate name. The listings include a main address, contact
person, phone number, fax number, and total and postconsumer
recovered-paper content of products. The listings are based
on information provided by the manufacturer and do not
represent an endorsement by EPA. 
10/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA530-B-97-010

Mills That Produce Tissue Products Containing Postconsumer
Recovered Paper

    A list of tissue mills that use postconsumer recovered
paper. The listings are arranged alphabetically by corporate
name, and include a main address, contact person, phone
number, fax number, and total and postconsumer
recovered-paper content of products. The document also
includes a list of definitions. The listings are based on
information provided by the manufacturer and do not
represent an endorsement by EPA. 
10/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA530-B-97-009 

Miscellaneous Products (Pallets) Containing Recovered
Materials

    A list of manufacturers and suppliers of miscellaneous
products (pallets) that contain recovered materials. It
includes company names, address, contact name, phone number,
and fax number. The listings are based on information
provided by the manufacturer and do not represent an
endorsement by EPA.
10/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA530-B-97-007 

Non-Paper Office Products Containing Recovered Materials

    This document lists manufacturers and suppliers of
non-paper office products (office recycling containers and
office waste receptacles, plastic desktop accessories, toner
cartridges, binders, plastic trash bags, printer ribbons,
and plastic envelopes) containing recovered materials. It
includes company name, address, contact person, phone
number, and fax number. The listings are based on
information provided by the manufacturer and do not
represent an endorsement by EPA.
10/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA530-B-97-011 

Park and Recreation Products Containing Recovered Materials

    This document lists manufacturers and suppliers of park
and recreation products (playground surfaces, running
tracks, and plastic fencing) that contain recovered
materials. It includes company name, address, contact name,
phone number, and fax number. The listings are based on
information provided by the manufacturer and do not
represent an endorsement by EPA.
10/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA530-B-97-006 

Transportation Products Containing Recovered Materials 

    A list of manufacturers and suppliers of transportation
products (traffic barricades, traffic cones, parking stops,
and traffic control devices) containing recovered materials.
It includes company name, address, contact name, phone
number, and fax number. The listings are based on
information provided by the manufacturer and do not
represent an endorsement by EPA.
10/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA530-B-97-013

Vehicular Products Containing Recovered Materials

    A list of manufacturers and suppliers of vehicular
products (re-refined lubricating oils, retread tires, and
engine coolants) containing recovered materials. It includes
company name, address, contact name, phone number, and fax
number. The listings are based on information provided by
the manufacturer and do not represent an endorsement by EPA.
10/15/1997 
Order Number: EPA530-B-97-005


************************************************************
ORDERING PUBLICATIONS

    To order a publication, call the RCRA Hotline or send an
e-mail to <rcra-docket@epamail.epa.gov>.

    Phone: You can call the RCRA Hotline, Monday through
Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., eastern time. The national toll
free number is 800 424-9346, TDD 800 553-7672 (hearing
impaired); in Washington, DC, the number is 703 412-9810,
TDD 703 412-3323.

    Fax: 703 603-9234 or Mail to: RCRA Information Center 
(RIC) Office of Solid Waste (5305W) U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency 401 M Street, SW, Washington DC
20460-0002. 


THE RCRA INFORMATION CENTER 

    Each time RCRA is modified, EPA develops regulations
that spell out how to implement the statute's broad
policies. The RCRA Information Center (RIC) houses documents
used in writing the RCRA regulations as well as EPA
publications produced for public guidance on solid waste
issues. The publications stored in the RIC include the
following:  

General Documents/Collections 

    The RIC's collection includes guidance documents, which
provide directions for implementing the regulations for 
disposal and treatment of hazardous and solid wastes;
brochures, booklets, and executive summaries of reports 
concerning waste reduction and disposal issues surrounding
hazardous and nonhazardous wastes; and Health and
Environmental Effects Profiles and Health and Environmental
Effects Documents. The annual Catalog of Hazardous and Solid
Waste Publications lists OSW's most popular documents.

Rulemaking Dockets 

    Dockets include files generated from RCRA-related
rulings. Each file is composed of technical support 
documents that were used to develop a particular rule, along
with comments from companies, individuals, environmental 
organizations, and various levels of government; reprints of
Federal Register notices containing RCRA-related issues; and
administrative records, which are rulemaking dockets that
have undergone litigation.

To view documents, please make an appointment by calling 703
603-9230. The RIC is located at Crystal Gateway I, First 
Floor, 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway, in Arlington, Virginia.
Patrons who live outside the Washington, DC, metropolitan
area can call this number to request documents or can send a
request by regular mail to 401 M Street, SW (5305W),
Washington, DC 20460-0002, or e-mail to
<rcra-docket@epamail.epa.gov>.

The photocopying and microfilming fee is the same as for
walk-in patrons. If an invoice is necessary, the RIC staff
will mail one with the order.
