Office paper is a generic name given to a wide variety of paper products used in offices and businesses, including writing, computer and copying paper. These grades have longer fibers and are brighter than newspaper and packaging grades. Office wastepaper also includes newspapers, corrugated boxes and paperboard packaging, which are not included in this profile.

Office paper is usually white, but can be produced in a variety of colors. Most office paper is made from chemically pulped paper fiber.

Office paper is a sub-category of the paper industry's “printing and writing” category, which also includes books, junk mail, brochures and similar products.

Since 1960, office paper generation increased by 4.5 million tons, or 300 percent, and its MSW market share increased by 41 percent. However, office paper generation has declined by 1.4 million tons in the last six years, as the use of personal computers has spread. Office paper recycling has increased by 4.1 million tons and the recycling rate has more than quadrupled since 1960.

This profile concentrates on office paper, the most commonly recycled portion of the printing and writing paper category.

Chaz Miller is state programs director for the National Solid Wastes Management Association, Washington. E-mail him at: cmiller@envasns.org.

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