There is a BIG difference between "recycled" and "PCW" (post-consumer waste) paper products.

"Recycled" paper is generally made from the sawdust that has been discarded when trees are milled in the process of making paper. This represents a more complete use of the tree, but still requires the harvesting of new trees. Technically, this is pre-consumer waste.

"PCW" paper is made from materials collected in commercial and residential recycling programs, such as office paper, cardboard, and newspapers; all items that have already completed at least one life cycle as a consumer product.

* the higher the percentage of recycled content, the more waste that is diverted away from a landfill, but try to look for products that contain a high percentage of post-consumer waste.

Myth: A recycling symbol means the product can be recycled or that the product is made from recycled materials.

Fact: There are no laws that govern the use of the recycling symbol. You should look for the stamped number inside the symbol to identify its potential to be recycled and you should look for written descriptions of the product to know if it contains recycled or PCW materials.

Myth: Recycled or PCW paper is always off-color and gets stuck in copy machines and printers

Fact: Due, in part to increased consumer demand, recycled paper  now abailable in a range of colors and weights, including bright white. It also now performs at the same level as its "virgin" equivalent with regard to use and image quality when used in copiers, laser, and ink jet printers.