2000 Annual Report: Market Development

Market Development Topics

Introduction RMDZ RMDZ Loan Program Jobs Through Recycling Private Buy Recycled Priority Materials  Organics  Construction & Demolition  Paper Minimum Content Programs State Agency Responsibility

Priority Materials: Paper

Paper, including printing and writing paper, newsprint, corrugated cardboard and paperboard, comprises a significant portion of California’s waste stream. While the quantity of paper recovered in California has grown significantly over the past several years, the generation of paper, due in part to a booming economy, continues to grow at an alarming rate. A tremendous quantity of paper still finds its way into the landfill. A recent Waste News article stated "the United States throws away enough office and writing paper annually to build a 12-foot-high wall across the country."

Although not mandated by statute, in 1994, the Board adopted a method to calculate the recovery rate of California postconsumer paper and delineated annual postconsumer paper recovery goals. These goals require 50 percent recovery by 2000. The Board annually calculates California’s postconsumer paper recovery rate to track progress (or lack thereof) towards meeting the goals. While initial years saw steady growth in the recovery rate for postconsumer paper, the last few years have shown declines due to the sharp decrease in Asian demand for California recovered paper due to the Asian economic crisis, as well as continued growth in paper generation due to a robust California economy.

Of course, recycling is only a part of the solution to the growing generation of postconsumer paper. Early on, the IWMB recognized the need to promote waste prevention strategies to businesses and local governments in order to effect real change in postconsumer paper generation. To begin with, the IWMB first sought to put its own house in order by developing and implementing a comprehensive waste prevention strategy.

For the most part, this strategy focused efforts on realizing system efficiencies available through existing technologies, such as the electronic dissemination of information via e-mail and a comprehensive intranet system (called BoardNet). Additionally, through the implementation of this policy, the IWMB worked to create a corporate culture where if paper is used, it will be used as efficiently as possible. Printers and copiers purchased were required to be capable of printing on both sides (duplex printing) and staff was expected to construct documents to use as little paper as possible.

Through these efforts, the IWMB reduced white office paper use by 25 percent, producing annual savings of 1.8 million sheets of white paper and over $10,000 in reduced purchasing costs. Additionally, the IWMB will save another $90,000 annually in reduced postage, photocopying, and printing costs, demonstrating the financial benefits of resource efficiency. Additionally the IWMB only purchases 30 percent recycled-content paper.

To encourage a similar paradigm shift in local government and the business community, the IWMB developed fact sheets and a Web site describing its program and how others could benefit from it. The Bank of America provides an excellent example of paper reduction through waste prevention. Bank of America reduced the weight of its automated teller machine paper and in the process saved 228 tons of paper and $500,000 annually.

The IWMB also participates in the Recycled Paper Coalition (RPC) at both local and national levels. The RPC is a voluntary organization (with more than 260 corporate members) of primarily large businesses whose mission is to create a sustained demand for recycled paper through proactive procurement programs. A listing of RPC members  can be found at the coalition's Web site (no longer available).

The IWMB has also provided paper waste reduction assistance to specific institutions known for paper generation. For instance, to encourage the practice of printing on both sides of paper (“duplex printing”), staff prepared a fact sheet about the California rules of court pertaining to duplex-printed briefs and papers, and the benefits of duplex-printed documents. The Environmental Law Section of the State Bar of California then made this fact sheet available to its members.