Step 4:
Use Green Paper and Plastic Products
Choosing green paper and plastic helps protect the environment, and our health strongly depends on a healthy environment. By requesting and using environmentally preferable paper and plastic products, you help create the demand which builds capacity to produce more green products in the paper and plastics industry.
Standards
Paper Products: This is an evolving area, and there are several standards that can be used to evaluate green paper products for schools. We recommend using one of the four following standards: 
EPA, Green Seal, Environmental Choice or Chlorine Free. Plastic products: Plastic trash bags, also called trash can liners, are available with recovered material. The amount of recovered materials used in the manufacturing process is affected by the color, size and thickness of the bag. There are currently no certifying organizations for recycled plastic products. See the Choosing Green Paper and Plastic Products section of The Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools for a detailed explanation of the various standards and factors to consider when making a choice. For a selection of green paper and plastic products, see featured green products.
Cost Assessment
Recycled paper tends to cost more than paper manufactured from virgin tree fiber of comparable quality and price. However, by taking a few simple steps to reduce consumption (such as replacing multifold hand towels with large rolls and replacing single roll toilet paper dispensers with dispensers that hold multiple rolls), you can offset the higher initial cost by reducing consumption.
Training Requirements
No formal training is needed to increase your school’s use of recycled paper products. However, there are some resources that can help educate staff and other school stakeholders about the importance of conservation and recycling. See the Resources and Tools section of The Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools for more information.
