The Debate: Using Recycled Paper in Catalogs

From what we can gather in discussions with catalog members, generally the problems that were there five years ago with recycled paper aren’t there anymore. We’ve come a long way in five years, and the remaining issue is price.

It may be that the price is higher because there’s not enough demand. I think in time it’s going to change. There already are laws in some states in which they’re forcing localities (through the pricing of trash collection) to recycle. That may help produce more product, reduce prices and make it more economically feasible. We at The DMA think that’s going to happen. I think concerns on the landfill side will push more product into it.