60.50 - Recycled Paper

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Last updated: July 13, 2026.

A. Purpose. This policy supports University sustainability objectives by requiring the purchase of office paper with specified recycled and chemical processing characteristics.

B. Scope. This policy applies to all University of Idaho units purchasing office paper for regular copiers and printers, including the University Copy Center’s regular devices. It does not apply to custom print jobs.

C. Definitions.

C-1. Post-Consumer Waste (PCW). Material or finished product that has served its intended use and been discarded for disposal or recovery, having completed its life as a consumer item.

C-2. Acid Free. Paper products from which acid has been removed from the pulp, leaving a neutral pH of 7.

C-3. Processed Chlorine Free (PCF). Recycled paper in which recycled content is unbleached or bleached without chlorine or chlorine derivatives; any virgin portion must be unbleached or processed entirely free of chlorine derivatives.

D. Policy.

D-1. Minimum recycled content. All University of Idaho units must purchase office paper that is acid-free and contains at least 50% post-consumer waste (PCW) recycled content.

D-2. Colored/other sizes. Colored paper and paper in sizes other than standard US letter must be acid-free and contain 50% or higher recycled content.

D-3. Strong preference for higher recycled content. The University strongly supports purchasing the maximum recycled content feasible, up to 100% recycled, Processed Chlorine Free paper, where available and suitable.

E. Procedure.

E-1. Use contracted vendors. Purchase office paper from University-contracted vendors that stock products meeting this policy’s specifications.

E-2. Obtain assistance. For help identifying compliant products or implementing this policy, contact Contracts and Purchasing Services or the Office of Sustainability.

F. Contact Information.

Contracts and Purchasing

uofi-sustainability@uidaho.edu

G. Forms.

Standard Requisition Form – Used to request purchase of products.

P-Card Processing Form – Used to document and reconcile purchases with a University Purchasing Card (P-Card).

Version History

July 2026. Interim approved on July 13, 2026. Update to strengthen sustainability requirements.

2011. Policy Inception.