easy, it can be a little trickier than one might initially think. Everyone wants to be sustainable or, at the very least, thought of as being green. Unfortunately, this leads to everyone claiming their product, no matter what it might be, is the best, greenest thing for the environment, boasting some sort of claim, written or otherwise. More often than not, these claims are less than true or altogether false. The first thing anyone in a purchasing or decision-making position must do is their homework and their research. These claims can typically be found on packaging or in accompanying literature, as companies who have incurred the expense of the green auditing process will want to express this validation to users. Beware of companies that make internal claims without proper documentation. A printed letter on company stationery should not be seen as sufficient proof to an educated end user. Beyond whether or not a product has a legitimate green claim, there are a number of other factors that must be looked at, chief among them is functionality. “In the past, many so-called ‘green’ prod-ucts did not function as well as the products they were designed to replace,” explains David Rives, vice president of sales and marketing for Revolution Bag. “This would negate the proposed benefit of the green product. This was especially true with PCR products where the recycled material did not hold comparable attributes to its virgin predecessors. This has changed over the years and, now, many PCR content prod-ucts have been able to transition in to main-stream use through quality improvements.” and other plastic products are becoming more popular. Despite their growing popularity, the prod-ucts are not yet perfect and are, in fact, a work in progress. “Currently, the most common complaint with quality PCR products has been the abil-ity to be cost competitive and the difference in appearance,” says Rives. There may be cosmetic differences between PCR content and its virgin pre-decessor, but the gap has been narrowed significantly over time and, in many cases, is virtually transparent. With the cosmetic disparity reduced to a level that is deemed acceptable by end users, PCR content products are able to be used at a comparable level and often with a cost reduction. Some end users still complain that PCR materials do not function at the same level as their virgin counterparts; however, as the demand for these products continues to increase, the quality will be forced to improve or they will become extinct. “The current demand is increasing at such a rapid pace that manufacturing companies are starting to develop the proper technolo-gies to ensure quality alternatives using PCR materials. For the organization willing to do their homework, these are available today,” insists Rives. The Impact Paper, aluminum, plastic and steel are the most common materials used to develop PCR materials, keeping virtually everything that usually makes its way in to landfills out and repurposed for a new use. When facilities choose products that have been made out of recycled materials, the perception that the facility is doing abso-lutely everything in its power to be sustain-able is increased. When facilities choose products that are gentler on the environment when they do end up being discarded, this, too, helps the overall perception of the facility and its workers. Choosing products, from the paper in the copiers to the napkins in the dining halls, that will leave less of a footprint behind will do wonders in the fight to become and stay sustainable. Every little bit counts. CM Product Information no. 209 on page 24 www.cmmonline.com The Good, The Bad And The Improved Due to increased demand, biodegradable and PCR products are becoming more readily available. Paper products top the popularity list, as virtually every single item can be made with PCR paper; everything from copy paper and legal pads, which many organizations go through in the blink of an eye, to paper towels and toilet tissue are easily made with PCR content. As their demand increases, trash bags 17
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