In compliance with Public Resources Code Section 42775, the California Integrated Waste Management Board reviews its recycled-content newsprint quality standards at least biannually and adjusts them, if needed, to reflect changes in industry standards and practices. New minimum comparable quality standards are established using test methods approved by the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) as outlined in the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 7, Chapter 4, Article 4, Section 17964.
The following Recycled-Content Newsprint Quality Standards are based on the latest manufacturer samples submitted and tested, and are in effect beginning May 2009.
| Grade | Cross Tear (gf) | Brightness (percent) | Opacity (percent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18.0 lb white1, 2 | 19.8 | 51.3 | 79.5 |
| 26.4 lb white1, 3 | 33.7 | 54.0 | 90.3 |
| 27.7 lb white1, 4 | 36.9 | 53.8 | 91.3 |
| 30.0 lb white | 40.3 | 53.2 | 92.7 |
| 32.0 lb white | 45.3 | 54.5 | 93.1 |
Footnotes
1 Weight commonly referred to by manufacturers.
2 Actual average weight of the samples was 18.6 lb.
3 Actual average weight of the samples was 26.5 lb.
4 Actual average weight of the samples was 28.0 lb.
For more information contact: Buy Recycled, buyrecycled@calrecycle.ca.gov