If a package has recycled content, it was constructed from recycled materials. Recycled material comes from two sources: post-industrial and post-consumer. Everything we throw in the recycling bin, such as empty plastic bottles or aluminum cans, is considered post-consumer recycled material. Material that's not in its original form, such as wood or paper, is called post-industrial recycled material. Packages made from recycled material contain some recycled content. The amount varies depending on what type of recycled material is used to make the package. For example, a package might have 10 percent recycled material if it's made of 50/50 post-consumer/post-industrial recycled material. Or it could have 20 percent recycled material if it's only made from post-consumer recycled material. The main advantage of using packages made of recycled material is that they can reduce the number of times something needs to be put in the trash. They also reduce the impact that manufacturing new packaging has on the environment. Disadvantages include increased cost and potential quality issues due to possible contamination. For most products, it doesn't matter how the package is made as long as it meets quality standards. However, for products that are sensitive to contamination, such as food, toys, and electronics, you should choose packages made of new material over those made of recycled material.