This state government initiative showcases innovative recycled-content products and puts consumers in touch directly with their manufacturers. Marketing more than 300 different products, it has helped California reduce its waste by 42 percent.

Ever thought of owning a floor made from old telephone poles? How about a flowerpot manufactured from used plastic milk jugs? Dinnerware crafted from glass bottles?
No, these items aren't produced by a group of second-graders. They are high-quality, attractive products made from recycled material, and they're just a sampling of the offerings at the RecycleStore, an online collection of recycled goods for sale to the public and to retail stores.

The merchandise covers a huge range of items, from backpacks designed for carrying a Chihuahua to intricately carved wooden beds. The products are made from wood, glass bottles and plastics.
It is part of a statewide campaign to keep reusable materials out of the landfills, and before the website was created, businesses that produced recycled goods were generally limited to small local markets. While individuals can purchase items directly from most of the RecycleStore merchants, the site is geared mainly toward wholesale buyers for retail outlets

Nationwide, millions of dollars support "buy recycled" campaigns and many government agencies have recycled product procurement mandates. At the same time, consumers are being educated on the role they can play in "closing the loop" so they'll understand that recycling means much more than just collection.

The result is that more and more desirable, high quality recycled-content products are available. Still, the selection of recycled-content products on retail shelves is not sufficient. The next step is to reach out to the right buyers with products that have utility and quality and that will generate sales.

RecycleStore is part of a nationwide effort to increase the purchase of recycled-content products. We as consumers play a vital part in closing the recycling loop.
Sponsored by the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB), there are no fees for participating in this program; however there are terms and conditions of membership that must be met.

Currently, only manufacturers in certain parts of the state are eligible to post their goods on the site, but it would be great to see the site opened to all California companies. Better yet, it could also be used as a model for other states, or for a federal site run by the EPA. For now, the store is the only one of its kind, but other states link to it from their websites.