Recycled Products
How Do I "Buy Recycled"?
Some types of materials, the 'Safe Bets' listed below, always have a high percentage of recycled content. For all other materials, you have to read the label to see if the product has any recycled content.
Safe Bets 
These four materials always have a significant amount of recycled content even though many such products may not yet be labeled "recycled."
- Steel including food cans, cars, appliances, bicycles, furniture, nails...anything made with steel.
- Aluminum, including beverage cans.
- Glass bottles and jars.
- Molded pulp containers, including gray or colored cardboard egg cartons, fruit trays and flower boxes.
Recycled Content Products and Packaging You Can Buy
Automobiles
- re-refined motor oil
- retreaded tires
- remanufactured parts
- cars (the average automobile has 44 percent recycled steel content)
Building and Construction Materials
- plastic lumber
- steel framing
- roofing, wallboard
- flooring
- insulation
- glass brick
- cement block
- nails and other fasteners
- reinforcing rod
- paint
- aluminum gutters, down spouts, siding
Clothing and Accessories
- denim made from soda bottle plastic blended with cotton
- recycled cotton tennis shoes, shirts, caps
- outdoor gear: backpacks, beltpacks, brief case, lunch bags
Gardening and Yard Supplies
- hoses
- mulch
- patio furniture
Groceries
- steel food cans
- glass bottles and jars
- food product boxes
- cereal, cookie, and cracker boxes
- egg cartons
- laundry detergent bottles
- aluminum beverage cans
Home Furnishing and Decorating
- decorating accessories
- carpeting
- door mats
- furnishings
- wallpaper
- steel appliances
Office Equipment and Supplies
- copier & printer papers (laser & ink jet)
- legal pads
- notepads
- envelopes
- transparencies
- toner cartridges
- bulletin boards
- push pins
- pens
- pencils
- scissors
- rulers
- desk-side recycling and waste containers
Packing and Shipping Products
- corrugated containers
- shipping mailers
- polystyrene peanuts
- air bubble cushioning material
- alternative packaging materials, such as Geami
Recreation and Sporting Goods
- camping and hiking equipment
- golf accessories
- recreation mats
- playground equipment
- sports arena running surfaces
- boating supplies
Toys and Gifts
- bicycles (contain recycled steel)
- recycled wrapping paper
- greeting cards
These are only a few examples; hundreds more are available at your local retailer and on the internet.
