Many resources are available to help you learn more about recycled-content products (RCP) and other environmentally preferable products (EPP). The resources are organized into three specialized sections, in addition to the general resources listed on this page:
- Audience-Specific. These resources were designed with specific audiences in mind, such as state agencies or schools, but they may be useful to others.
- Product Category-Specific. These resources highlight specific product categories, such as paper or glass.
- Purchasing and Tracking Tools. This page includes directories, databases, catalogs, product libraries/collections, etc.
You may also be interested in these other CalRecycle purchasing resources:
General Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Resources
- Buy Green
- CalRecycle Buy Recycled Publications
- Economics: Studies on the economics of recycling were conducted for CalRecycle and the former CIWMB.
- Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Best Practices Manual. Provided by the California Department of General Services as part of its Green California effort. DGS also developed a Buying Green Guide webpage for buyers.
- The Government Purchasing Project works to encourage the government to use its immense purchasing power to promote safe, cost-effective, energy-efficient, and environmentally-sound products.
- Model Green Procurement Specifications and Purchasing Guidelines. Northeast Recycling Council (NERC)
- National Center for Remanufacturing and Resource Recovery (NC3R). NC3R is internationally recognized as a leading center for applied research in remanufacturing.
- Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center (PPRC) has compiled information that will assist purchasers in their efforts to establish or maintain an environmental purchasing program.
- Resource Recycling. This site contains information on periodicals, directories, and services related to recycling.
- Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) provides general information about environmentally preferable purchasing and specific information about how state and local governments can reduce the environmental impacts of their purchasing decisions.
- State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign: Steps to Implement a Successful Buy Recycled Program.
- State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign: Buying Recycled Products. Requirements and Reportable Products Categories.
Reuse Resources
- CalRecycle Reuse Site
- Garbage Reincarnation is a nonprofit organization that promotes reuse in Sonoma County. Call (707) 888-8257 for more information.
- Urban Ore, located in Berkeley, California, buys, trades, and sells used or surplus building materials, household items, furniture, fixtures, art, and computers. Call (510) 548-4515 for more information.