DEQ - Buying Recycled Products

Pollution prevention is a primary focus of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Recycling is one method of preventing pollution. However, there is more to recycling than collecting materials. In order for a material to be truly recycled, it has to be processed and manufactured into a valuable product. This completes the recycling circle. By providing tools to promote recycling, the Department is helping to prevent pollution.

The Michigan Manufactured Recycled Products database is offered to assist Michigan businesses in marketing their recycled products. It is also intended to be a resource for buyers to increase awareness of recycled products. Due to the dynamic nature of business, this directory does not include every manufacturer of recycled products in Michigan. We have attempted to list as many businesses of which we are aware and for which we have been able to verify information. Many retail and wholesale establishments sell recycled products. Please ask for recycled products where you normally buy supplies or shop. If you know of a Michigan company that makes a recycled product or that primarily distributes recycled goods, please contact us so we can add them to our database. Your assistance is appreciated.

Buying Recycled (pdf)
Buy Recycled Resources (pdf)
Michigan Manufactured Recycled Products searchable database
Suppliers of Compost Materials for Michigan Residents
Buying Recycled Bookmark (pdf)

Environmentally Preferred Purchasing (EPP) includes recycled content as part of the products targeted to be purchased as a sustainable business practice. To get more information, see the Environmental Science & Services Division EPP website. When viewing the EPP website, check out 'publications' where you will find bulletins focused on particular products such as paints, cleaners, and re-refined oil.

EPPNET is a national listserv where subscribers post information and questions regarding environmentally preferred purchasing and products including those containing recycled content.

BUY RECYCLED WEBSITES

The following sites are neither endorsed nor supported by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. This list is provided to help you find more information about finding recycled products and setting up purchasing programs in your organization.

American Plastics Council - This site contains a database of recycled plastic products.

Buy Recycled Business Alliance - Established by the National Recycling Coalition in 1992, the Buy Recycled Business Alliance (BRBA) is a group of organizations committed to increasing the procurement of recycled content products through education and leadership by example. This site contains a number of buy recycled resources as well as information about how your organization can become a member.

California Integrated Waste Management Board Recycled-Content Product Directory - Over 10,000 listings of recycled products and where to get them.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Environmentally Preferable Products Procurement Page - Various information regarding pilot purchases, awards, policies, vendors, conferences, and other resources on environmentally preferable products.

Conservatree - This is the homepage for Conservatree. It provides information on recycled paper products as well as containing tips on reducing waste in the office.

Eco-Friendly Products. This Canadian website contains information about a variety of recycled and environmentally preferred products.

Environmentally Responsible Products - A Minnesota site to help state purchasers make environmentally responsible decisions.

Government Purchasing Project - Describes the federal, state, and local environmentally preferable purchasing policies, federal executive orders, and other issues and publications regarding environmentally preferable products.

King County Environmental Purchasing - Contains different products available along with descriptions of programs or companies using the products and additional resources to guide your purchasing efforts.

Missouri Market Development Program: Recycled Products Directory - This site is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Solid Waste Management Program.

National Association of State Purchasing Officials (NASPO) Database of Recycled Commodities - This site is maintained by the State of Florida with support from NASPO and the U.S. EPA. It contains a number of recycled content products.

New Hampshire Recycled and Reused Products Directory - Directory of recycled and reused products.

Office of the Federal Environmental Executive - "Advocate, coordinate, and assist environmental efforts of the Federal community in waste prevention, recycling, the affirmative procurement of guideline items and the acquisition of recycled and environmentally preferable products and services" This site contains information about buy recycled programs in which the federal government is involved including the recently (9/98) signed Executive Order 13101 that, among other things, requires federal agencies to purchase 30% post consumer recycled paper.

Pennsylvania Recycled Products Manufacturers - Listing of manufacturers of recycled products.

Recycled Products Cooperative - The main goal of the RPPC is to increase the use of recycled paper in the public and private sectors.

Santa Monica Environmental Programs Division - Site contains a guide for environmental preferred products and services available.

Six Sins of GreenWashing - A Study of Environmental Claims in North American Consumer Markets. A 'Green Paper' by TerraChoice Environmental Marketing Inc. (November 2007)

U.S. EPA. Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines - The site provides information about government requirements to purchase recycled products in a number of different categories.

WasteWise - Buy/Manufacture Recycled - This site contains resources that emphasize buying and manufacturing products that have an increased recycled content.

WasteCap Wisconsin - This is a statewide, nonprofit industry supported that provides waste reduction and recycling assistance to businesses.