Resources About Buying

Recycled Products

Environmental Protection 

Agency

September 1998

www.epa.gov

1EPA

and Emergency Response

(5305W)

2 Printed on paper that contains at least 20 percent postconsumer fiber.
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 statespecific 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. 

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SMITH).
Resources About Buying Recycled Products

Buy-Recycled Series ................................................................................................ 1

General Buy-Recycled Resources ............................................................................ 2

Lists of Manufacturers and Suppliers ..................................................................... 5

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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 

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iii

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
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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). See the order form in the back of this document. 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).
1

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 recycledcontent 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 desktop 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 
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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

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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

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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

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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

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Customer Address

Name

Company

Street Address

City State Zip Code

Daytime Phone Number

All publications are available at no charge from EPA. To order a publication, call the RCRA Hotline, mail in this form with

your request, 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

Mail to:

RCRA Information Center (RIC)

Office of Solid Waste (5305W)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

401 M Street SW

Washington DC 20460-0002

Order Form
RCRA INFORMATION CENTER (RIC)

OFFICE OF SOLID WASTE (5305W)

US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

401 M STREET SW

WASHINGTON DC 20460-0002
Order Number Document Title Quantity

____________________________ ______________________________________________________ _________________

____________________________ ______________________________________________________ _________________

____________________________ ______________________________________________________ _________________

____________________________ ______________________________________________________ _________________

____________________________ ______________________________________________________ _________________

____________________________ ______________________________________________________ _________________

__________________________ _________________________________________________ ________________

__________________________ _________________________________________________ ________________

__________________________ _________________________________________________ ________________

Customer Address

Name

Company

Street Address

City State Zip Code

Daytime Phone Number

All publications are available at no charge from EPA. To order a publication, call the RCRA Hotline, mail in this form with

your request, 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

Mail to:

RCRA Information Center (RIC)

Office of Solid Waste (5305W)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

401 M Street SW

Washington DC 20460-0002

Order Form
RCRA INFORMATION CENTER (RIC)

OFFICE OF SOLID WASTE (5305W)

US 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, 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.