| Many companies these days are getting on the | | | | recycled paper. One of the biggest problems |
| Green bandwagon. If a company is marketing | | | | has been with vinyl. Vinyl or PVC is a |
| their products or services as being | | | | petroleum based product that is toxic to |
| environmentally friendly, they sometimes | | | | manufacture and dispose. When your binder's |
| scramble to find office supplies that back up | | | | rings bend or your cover rips, it's off to |
| their message. Turning to the big box office | | | | the landfill where it will be thousands of |
| supply companies doesn't always give you the | | | | years before that material can break down. |
| best selection of recycled office products. | | | | Manufacturers really need to think through |
| Most companies find what they are looking for | | | | the impact their materials have on the |
| at smaller "Mom & Pop" type office supply | | | | environment. There are many materials like |
| stores; which are few and far between these | | | | corrugated cardboard, non toxic chip board, |
| days. These smaller stores know that they | | | | recycled bending chip and even bioplastics |
| have to provide better competitive advantage | | | | that would make excellent materials for |
| to their larger competitor that will beat | | | | office supplies and recycled binders.Office |
| them almost every time on price. Some of | | | | supply stores that carry these types of |
| these small office supply stores have turned | | | | products will give them the competitive edge |
| to environmentally friendly office supplies | | | | over their competition, as well as, give them |
| to maintain that edge.There are some great | | | | the satisfaction that they are doing their |
| recycled papers that have a higher post | | | | part for the environment.Brad Hole is |
| consumer recycled content than what the | | | | President of Sustainable Group; a Seattle |
| bigger companies are carrying. Living Tree | | | | based manufacturer of environmentally |
| Paper out of Eugene, Oregon has some great | | | | friendly office supplies that include |
| papers that are 90% recycled and 10% Hemp | | | | Rebinder and Repocket. |
| Flax. We are starting to see pencils made of | | | | |