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King County Washington home

Copy Paper

King County agencies are required to buy 100 percent recycled-content copy paper. As an alternative, agencies are allowed to buy paper made without tree fiber that is sustainably harvested.

This paper meets the same standards as virgin fiber copy paper but has a reduced impact on the environment.

In 2025, King County agencies purchased sustainable copy paper:

  • 75% - 100% recycled content copy paper
  • 25% - Tree-free (sugarcane waste) copy paper

And reduced consumption by 70% over 2015 numbers exceeding the target of 40%.

Policy and Goals:

King County's Sustainable Purchasing Executive Policy (CON 7-22-1-EP),

  • Buy 100% recycled copy paper
  • Lowering embodied greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with a product’s manufacture, transportation and use
  • Identifying and pursuing opportunities to reduce overall consumption of materials

Quick Tips

Choose

  • Paper with high recycled content (post-consumer)
  • Tree-free paper alternatives
  • FSC-certified paper
  • Processed chlorine-free (PCF) or totally chlorine-free (TCF) paper
  • Electronic document sharing instead of printing

Avoid

  • Virgin paper when recycled options are available
  • Low recycled content paper
  • Bright white paper (often requires additional bleaching)
  • Single-sided printing
  • Printing unnecessary copies or extra meeting agendas

End of Life

  • Recycle paper in designated recycling bins

An EPA checkmark indicates a certification or standard is recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Technical Specification Language

Conservatree: History of paper and list of environmentally preferable papers

Environmental Defense Fund: Paper Calculator

City of Seattle: PaperCuts Campaign