Few Catalog Printers Use Recycled Paper

The New York-based conservation group, Environmental Defense (ED) recently released the findings of a survey which found that only three out of 42 large catalog companies interviewed used recycled paper products in the production of their catalogs. The group notes that at least 20 use no recycled paper at all. “Many of these companies use images of nature to sell their products, while selling nature short in their paper choices,” Victoria Mills, project manager for ED told the Environmental News Service in a Nov. 19 article.

The three companies that use recycled paper are Portland, Ore.-based Norm Thompson Outfitters; Omaha, Neb.-based Omaha Steaks and Disney. The report notes that if the catalog industry would switch to 10-percent post-consumer recycled content, the wood saved would be the equivalent to a 42-foot-high fence across the U.S. Many of the companies surveyed claimed that consumers don't care whether or not they use recycled paper. Mills notes, however, “Study after study has shown that consumers care deeply about the environment, and that they expect companies to be part of the solution to environmental problems.”

In contrast, the report points out that smaller companies such as Patagonia, REI and Mountain Equipment Co-op are all using at least 10 percent post-consumer recycled paper. Seeds of Change, a New Mexico-and Oregon-based gardening catalog tops the charts, using almost 60 percent recycled paper in its catalogs.

To find out how to stop or limit catalog mailings to your home visit the ED website.