Recycled Content

When you're evaluating bids for office supplies or construction materials, you'll increasingly see suppliers touting the percentage of recycled materials in their products. That percentage matters. Federal green procurement policies encourage buyers to consider how much of a product comes from recycled sources—both post-consumer waste and industrial scrap—as part of broader efforts to reduce environmental impact and support circular economy principles.

How It Works

The Supply Manual doesn't set hard thresholds for recycled content across all procurements. Instead, Chapter 6 on Sustainable Development encourages environmental considerations as part of your procurement planning. You'll find the real guidance in the Policy on Green Procurement, which has been pushing federal departments since 2006 to integrate environmental performance into purchasing decisions. In practice, this means you might see requirements for recycled content specified in individual solicitations, particularly when departments use the Green Procurement Templates developed by PSPC.

Here's the thing: flexibility is both a feature and a challenge. Without fixed percentages mandated across the board, contracting authorities have discretion to set appropriate levels based on market availability and operational needs. A department procuring paper products might require 30% post-consumer content because that's readily available. Construction contracts might specify different percentages for concrete aggregate versus insulation materials. The Statement of Work becomes the key document where these specifications live.

Reporting matters too. Departments track their green procurement activities annually, including purchases involving recycled materials. These reports feed into broader sustainability commitments and help Treasury Board assess how well the policy is working across government. The lack of universal standards means tracking can be inconsistent, but the transparency requirement keeps the issue visible.

Key Considerations

• Don't assume higher percentages always win. Market availability varies significantly by product category, and specifying unrealistic thresholds can limit competition or inflate costs unnecessarily.

• Post-consumer versus pre-consumer recycled content isn't always distinguished in procurement documents, but the difference matters. Post-consumer material—what actually came from the waste stream—generally represents greater environmental benefit than industrial scrap that never reached consumers.

• Verification can be tricky. You're often relying on supplier declarations or third-party certifications. Build in requirements for documentation upfront, especially on high-value contracts.

• The Policy on Green Procurement supports consideration of recycled content as part of best value evaluation, but remember that value isn't just about environmental factors—you're still balancing performance, cost, and sustainability.

Related Terms

Energy and Resource Efficiency, Green Procurement, Lifecycle Costing

Sources

• Supply Manual - Chapter 6: Sustainable Development

• Guide to Completion of the Green Procurement Templates

• Best Value in Procurement - Office of the Procurement Ombudsman

When you're drafting your next solicitation, check whether recycled content specifications make sense for what you're buying. The infrastructure exists to support these requirements—you just need to use it thoughtfully.