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The 6 Best Recycled Printer Paper

Today we have something for all the eco-conscious techies in our midst. Even if you are not too tech savvy but end up doing a lot of work from home (which is most of us in these trying times), then today’s pick is definitely something you should pay attention to. We are going to look at the best, recycled printer paper on Amazon.

Among all U.S. manufacturing industries, the paper and pulp industry ranks in at number 4 when it comes to the emission of greenhouse gases. The situation is the same all over the world with about 30% of all commercial timber produced globally, being used for paper manufacture. Cutting down trees and forests doesn’t only reduce the earth’s natural defense mechanism against greenhouse gases, but also leads to the extinction of many animals who depend on the forests for their sustenance. It is a truly horrifying situation that needs to be fixed on a worldwide scale. The path forward, however, starts by taking small steps on an individual level.

Some Things To Keep In Mind

  1. Make sure to check the size of the paper matches what you want and what your printer can support. Refer to this website for a relation between paper size names and their actual sizes in inches. Amazon listings will mention either the common name or the sizes.
  2. The weight of the paper is defined for 500 sheets. So if 500 sheets of paper weigh 20 lbs, it is called 20 lb paper. This is important because heavier paper generally causes fewer jams. 20 lb is a standard and most common and should ideally be the minimum you aim for.

So let us dive into today’s list and take the first step towards a greener, more sustainable planet while being well equipped and productive at the same time!

AmazonBasics 30% Recycled Multipurpose Copy Printer Paper

Manufactured with Amazon’s blessings, this one comes in two variants – 30% recycled and 100% recycled. Make sure to pick the one you are comfortable with. It comes in reams of 500 sheets and you can buy 1, 3 or 10 reams at once. The manufacturing process avoids acid for the best strength. This acid-free paper resists deterioration, unlike standard paper that can turn yellow or crumble over time. They are sufficiently bright with a rated 92 GE brightness.

Tree Zero Copy Paper

This 100% recycled printer paper is made from bagasse recycled sugarcane waste fiber. So it uses waste from the sugar industry to create this amazingly strong and sturdy paper. The paper is 100% tree-free(no wood fibers present) and carbon-neutral because no trees were cut to make it. The paper is also elemental chlorine-free (ECF) and acid-free which increases its durability. This one also has a 92 GE brightness

Hammermill Great White 30% Recycled 20lb Copy Paper

This one is available in 30%, 50%, and 100% post-consumer recycled fiber paper options. The copy paper is Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified. Its aims are to improve forest management in North America and the responsible procurement of forest products around the world. It is 100% made in the USA and in some way or the other helps to support 2.4 million sustainable forestry jobs in America. The company has even donated over $2.8 million dollars to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The paper comes in 4 sizes, one of them being a 3 hole variant. You can buy it in reams of 1, 3, 5, 10, or an entire pallet if you are looking to stock up for your workplace.

Printworks 100 Percent Recycled Multipurpose Paper

This one is Amazon’s choice for quality and affordability. The recycled printer paper is 100% made in the USA from recycled food and beverage containers and other paper-based printed materials. The recycled paper is put through a chlorine-free cleaning, de-inking & re-pulping process to get the best quality output.

The company shares an interesting fact about how it sources its raw materials in the product description. Usually, paper to be recycled is collected and shipped off to other countries by boat where it is repurposed into other products that are sold back in the states. This entire movement of resources wastes a lot of energy and has a high carbon output. Instead, Printworks printer paper is made from raw materials sourced within 300 miles of the mill. So it avoids the entire wasteful transportation. It is really a great service that the company is providing by being smart about its logistics.

BOISE ASPEN 100% Recycled Multi-Use Copy Paper

This one comes with a 99.99% Jam-Free performance guarantee. It is manufactured from 100% post-consumer fiber content wholly in the USA. It is the FSC Chain of Custody Certified. From the FSC website, the FSC chain of custody certification verifies that FSC-certified material has been identified and separated from non-certified and non-controlled material as it makes its way along the supply chain, from the forest to the market. In plain terms, you can be confident about the raw materials used to create this paper.

Mohawk 100% Recycled Color Copy

The unique thing about this find is that the manufacturing process for this paper uses wind power. It is also made in an acid-free manner to get the sturdiest archival quality paper and you won’t have to worry about it turning yellow in time. It is a heavier 28-pound paper which means that it will not jam your printer.

Many initiatives have been launched over the years to wean the American people and the workforce away from their enormous usage of paper products. The is still a long way to go. We hope today’s product picks will resonate with some of you and we will have done our part to educate. We are going to do our best to watch our own paper usage. Remember, even though all the products on today’s list are made from recycled, it is always recommended to print something only as a last resort. Try to go as digital as possible. We hope these small steps will add up to a real impact on this planet’s health.

Love,

Scooch and Steve

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