Regulations and Labels for Labeling Postconsumer Waste

Postconsumer waste labeling acknowledges recycling initiatives.

Postconsumer waste includes anything consumers use that would normally end up in a landfill, incinerator or other end destination for garbage. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has had regulations on the books since 1992 regarding postconsumer waste labeling.

Labeling Recycled Waste

To be labeled as recycled from postconsumer waste, a product must, according to the FTC, be made of material that is "recovered or diverted from the solid waste stream." The company marketing the product may be asked to demonstrate that the product contains recycled postconsumer waste as stated on the label. If, for example, the product says "100% post-consumer waste" the company may be asked to show that all of the materials were diverted from the solid waste stream.

Revisions

As of December 2010 the FTC is studying possible revisions to the product labeling guidelines. Among the subjects the commission is studying is the method for calculating percentages of postconsumer waste.

Postconsumer vs. Preconsumer

Postconsumer waste includes materials that consumers have used and thrown away or turned in for recycling. These materials differ from preconsumer waste, which includes by-products and remnants left over from the manufacturing process. Preconsumer waste is also sometimes called manufacturing or industrial waste.

References

• Ecomall: Federal Trade Commission Green Guidelines
• Greener Package: "Green Guide" Revisions -- How Wll They Affect You?
• Energy Priorities: New FTC "Green Guides" -- Fundamental Issue Is Deception

Resources

• FTC: Reporter Resources: The FTC's Green Guides
• FTC: Sorting Out "Green" Advertising Claims
• FTC: Eco-Speak -- A User's Guide to the Language of Recycling