Buy Recycled

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State Programs

California’s Buy Recycled programs promote the state’s policies to buy recycled-content products and other environmentally preferable products. The programs also assist the Department of General Services (DGS), all other state agencies, and local governments in establishing policies and practices for purchasing recycled-content products.

Program Overviews

  • State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign (SABRC). The law requires state agencies and the legislature to purchase products with postconsumer recycled content. View SABRC’s reportable product categories to see if a product has enough postconsumer recycled content to be compliant.
  • Buying Green Guide. Provides information, tools, and tips for buyers. Information about specifications, standards, certifications, laws, regulations, and policies. 
  • Green Building. Executive Order B-18-12 outlines California’s sustainable building goals to use resources efficiently and buy environmentally preferable products.
  • Newsprint Program. The newsprint law requires the use of a specified amount of recycled-content newsprint by printers and publishers located in California.
  • Plastic Trash Bag Program. The trash bag law requires plastic trash bag manufacturers to use a specific amount of postconsumer plastic material to produce the trash bags sold in California.
  • Rigid Plastic Packaging Container Program (RPPC). The law requires that rigid plastic packaging (that holds product sold or offered for sale to the state) meet certain criteria. Some criteria includes recycled content.

Other Buy Recycled Activities

  • Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP). EPP is the procurement of goods and services that have a reduced impact on human health and the environment compared to competing products. 
  • Organics/Composting. Permitting and building infrastructure in California to increase diversion of organic materials away from landfills.
  • Construction and Demolition Debris RecyclingWorking with the industry to identify ways to reduce debris going to landfills, recycle more materials, and meet California’s mandated diversion goal of 50%.
  • Tire Derived ProductsPromoting products made from California recycled used tires, such as building construction, traffic control, road and paving, playgrounds, landscaping, and consumer products.