The Green Paper Trail

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Availability is growing, too. "You can find high-content recycled paper even in the largest office supply stores. That wasn't the case 15 years ago," says Gerard Gleason, associate director of Conservatree. Look for paper that's processed chlorine free (PCF) and with a high post-consumer waste (PCW) content—up to 100 percent. Many of today's eco-friendly papers perform as well as virgin grade papers, though you'll pay roughly up to 20 percent more. Tree-free papers are also available (see Paper Products Smart Shopper's Card).

Recycled Paper Options

For Printing and Copying
For office paper, consider Fox River EverGreen ($18.77/ream; foxriverpaper.com, 920-733-7341), in office-supply stores nationwide. Neenah Paper's Environment writing and printing papers ($19.97/ream; thepapermillstore.com, 800-790-8767) and Wausau's Exact Eco 100 copy paper ($34.99/10 ream-boxs, www.officedepot.com, 800-GO-Depot) are both 100 percent PCW and PCF.

For Wiping Up
Marcal Paper's PCF paper towels, over 60 percent PCW, are in stores nationwide ($2.99/3-pack; www.marcalpaper.com, 201-796-4000). For bathroom and facial tissue, try Cascade's North River PCF with 80 percent PCW (from $1.39; www.cascades.com; 819-363-5100). Whole Foods' store brand 365 Everyday Value toilet paper, napkins and paper towels are all PCF and up to 95 percent PCW ($1.69-$2.99/pack; www.wholefoodsmarket.com).

What You Can Do
* Use cloth towels and napkins

* Read documents on your computer and print sheets on both sides.

* Recycle boxes, junk mail and cardboard packaging. Get removed from catalog lists; see www.dmaconsumers.org.

For how-tos, contact your local solid waste department or visit www.earth911.org.

Resources
The Green Guide's Paper Product Report
www.greenseal.org
www.conservatree.org
www.forestethics.org
www.nrc-recycle.org

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