Publications : Green Products Guide : Categories

Introduction | Green Products Categories | Green Attribute Definitions | Contact Info

Green Products Categories

Paper Products

If decreasing forests, increasing landfills and chemicals in the environment are areas that concern you, buying green paper products is an easy way for you to make a difference.

Components:
Printing, copy and fax paper, letterhead, notebooks, folders, and envelopes, calendars and disposables (napkins, toilet paper, paper towels, etc.).

Green Attributes:
High post-consumer recycled content,* tree free materials, Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) or Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) bleaching process (see Alternative Bleaching Processes), no bright, dark, or deeply dyed paper.

Questions to ask:

  • Which paper products are made with high post-consumer content, and/or manufactured with recycled or tree free materials?
  • Are any of the paper products you offer produced in a way that avoids the use of environmentally harmful chemicals or processes, for example Elemental Chlorine Free bleaching?

Current Availability:
Recycled Paper Products are widely available. On campus, the Bookstore, Printing and Copying Services, and Distribution Center provide these products. Request them any time you order paper products. A growing number of off-campus suppliers also carry recycled products.

Sample Products:

  • Eureka 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Content 81/2x11 Paper
  • Eureka 30% Post-Consumer Recycled Content 81/2x11 Paper
  • Xerox 30% Recycled Content 81/2x11 Paper
  • Top Flight 60% Recycled Content (35% Post-Consumer) Notebooks
  • Quality Park 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Content Envelopes

*NOTE: “Recycled” does not always mean that a product contains 100% recovered content or that the content is post-consumer materials. Therefore, it is important to specify that you would like products with high post-consumer (preferably 100%) recycled content. See definitions on page 8 for further clarification.

 

Office Supplies

Are you concerned about overfilled landfills and chemicals in the environment? If yes, check out some of the attributes that make office supplies greener.

Components:
Computer diskettes, trash and recycle bins, desk organizers, tape dispensers, correction fluid and printer toner cartridges.

Green Attributes:
Manufactured with recycled content (plastic or steel for desk organizers and trash and recycling bins) and/or post-consumer content, non-toxic, Low or No Volatile Organic Compound's (VOC's), (correction fluid, glue) remanufactured (toner cartridges).

Questions to ask:

  • Are any of the office supply products made with plastic or paper manufactured with recycled content or high post-consumer content?
  • Which glues or correction fluids are non-toxic or have low or no VOC's?

Current Availability:
Office products with green attributes are available both on and off campus. Look carefully at the labels and request them if you are uncertain.

Sample Products:

  • Green Disks
  • 3M Transparencies (50% recycled content)

 

Office Equipment

Have you been reading about and experiencing an increase in your utility bills? Are you worried about the potential effects of global warming? Are you concerned about the increasing energy use here on campus? Buying green office equipment that uses less energy is a perfect way to be a positive influence.

Components:
Computers, printers, fax machines, and copiers.

Green Attributes:
“Energy Star” label (products that meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standards for energy efficiency), energy efficient, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) vs. Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors.

Questions to ask:

  • Do you offer office equipment with the Energy Star label?
  • Do you have computer monitors or laptops that are LCD rather than CRT?

Current Availability:
Available through individual vendors and State Contract. Departments also have the option to lease office equipment. Energy Star labeling for office equipment is standard for the majority of office equipment, however it is important to specify this attribute when purchasing office equipment.

Sample Products:

  • Products with the Energy Star label

 

Cleaning Products

One of the many ways that toxic chemicals enter our environment is through the cleaning products that we use. If you would like to change the cleaning products you use, the following can be used as a guideline to purchasing less toxic products.

Components:
Window, desk, bathroom, and floor cleaners, dishwashing liquid, air fresheners, and disinfectants.

Green Attributes:
Non-toxic, (for example no ammonia) not tested on animals, ingredients that are derived from renewable resources (for example vegetable as opposed to petroleum), biodegradable, not solvent based.

Questions to ask:

  • Do you offer any brands of cleaning products that are non-toxic or not solvent based?
  • What cleaning products are biodegradable?

Current Availability:
Most vendors that offer cleaning supplies have green alternatives.

 

Office Furniture

If preserving forests and maintaining forest practices that are sustainable (which means not using more than the forest can produce) is important to you, purchasing green office furniture is a good step toward this goal.

Components:
Chairs, desks, file cabinets, and bookshelves.

Green Attributes:
Used furniture, no old growth wood, derived from sustainably harvested materials, recycled content.

Questions to ask:

  • Are any of your plastic or steel products made with recycled content?
  • Do you offer wood products made with no old growth wood, or derived from sustainably harvested materials?

Purchasing used furniture is always an environmentally friendly alternative!

Current Availability:
State Contracting requires CU departments to use Juniper Valley for all office furniture. If they do not offer greener alternatives, express your interest in green products, and let them know there is a consumer demand for them. Alternatively, departments can purchase used furniture on campus from Property Services.

 

Small Remodel Supplies

There are a variety of products in this category. Depending on what you are purchasing, you could be helping to reduce chemical exposure in the environment, reduce energy use on campus, or reduce the amount of waste entered into the landfill.

Components:
Paints, finishes, stains, adhesives, flooring and lighting

Green Attributes:
Non-toxic (for example no Formaldehyde or solvents) and/or Low or No Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) (for paints, adhesives), energy efficient, recycled content.

Questions to ask:

  • Do you offer paints that are non-toxic or have low or no VOC's?
  • What types of lighting (lamps, ballasts) are the most energy efficient?
  • Are any of the carpets you offer made with recycled content?

Current Availability:
CU does not have a contract with one company. Instead, CU hires contractors for small remodels and small construction projects. Project managers can specify or request paints with low or no VOC's, recycled content carpets, energy efficient lighting, and other green products.

 

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