Many manufacturers boast the fact that their products are printed on ‘recycled’ materials. One has to read the fine prints to compare their recycled packaging options. A few things to look for when shopping for recycled packaging:

1. Post consumer waste: also known as PCW, is the preferred recycled materials because it comes from paper and cardboards that are recycled; compare it with pre consumer waste, which is paper that is disposed during the manufacturing process.

2. Percentage of recycled content: find out the percentage of recycled content in the paper stock. Beware of companies who claim to use recycled stock but in reality the paper used has a low percentage of recycled content.

3. Generic cases that are made of recycled materials tend to be lesser quality and less durable; therefore check a sample of cases before making your decision.

For more information on other frequently mentioned print terms, check our FAQ on eco friendly printing.