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Shopping Tips > Hardware Store
Recycled-Content Products
 USEPA guidelines for recycled content
Recycling is an important first step in managing waste materials generated by NYC residents. The next step, buying products manufactured using recycled material, is critical to sustaining NYC’s recycling program. When you buy products manufactured from recycled material, you help “close the recycling loop.” Buying products manufactured from “post-consumer” recycled materials — those collected from residential and commercial recycling programs — strengthens the markets for the City’s recyclables.
Recycled products offer excellent quality and are available at competitive prices. You may be surprised to learn how many recycled-content items your hardware store carries.
ALSO SEE resources for more information on buying products with recycled content, and product guides for vendors of recycled content products.
USEPA guidelines for recycled content
The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) issues guidelines specifying a minimum percent of recycled material for a variety of items that are purchased by our federal government. USEPA conducts extensive research on the products that they select. The review ensures that the quality and price of these recycled products is comparable to, or better than, their virgin counterparts.
Look for the following products and percentages of recycled-content material as recommended by the USEPA:
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Item
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Percent of recycled content recommended by the USEPA
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carpet
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25-100% post-consumer material
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floor tiles
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90-100% post-consumer material
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garden hose
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60-70% post-consumer material
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insulation (fiberglass)
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20-25% total recycled content
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lawn and garden edging
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30-100% post-consumer material
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mulch from paper
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100% post-consumer material
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mulch from paper/wood
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100% total recycled content
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paint
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20-100% post-consumer material
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plastic lumber picnic table
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50-100% post-consumer material
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plastic mats
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10-100% post-consumer material
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recycling bins and plastic containers
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20-100% post-consumer material
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rubber mats
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75-100% post-consumer material
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trash bags
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10-100% post-consumer material
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Source: USEPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines
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