Behind the Chemistry Of Going Green: Ask lots of questions about the makeup of your catalog’s materials

By Kathy Hecht

● Postconsumer material comes from products that have fulfilled their original purposes. If they’re not recovered, they’ll head for landfills. Catalogs, direct mail pieces and undeliverable mail are all examples of postconsumer waste.

Environmental Protection Agency guidelines on recycled paper require a minimum of 30 percent postconsumer content for uncoated printing, and a minimum of 10 percent postconsumer content for coated sheets. The higher the percentage of recycled components, the less use of virgin fibers.