The Debate: Using Recycled Paper in Catalogs

“Only strong and steady demand for recycled paper will create the economies of scale that will bring costs down.”

Paul Hawken’s Convictions on Recycled Paper

“The catalog and direct marketing industry has become the postal equivalent of the tragedy of the commons. It sends more and more pieces of mail every year to a relatively stable number of postal customers, members and donors. This overgrazing of the consumer is excessive, wasteful and bothersome. It causes pollution, destruction of trees and forests, waste in our landfills, and the unnecessary uses of energy to transport railcar loads of catalogs and direct-mail solicitations that are thrown away the instant they are received.”