In 1986, copy paper was being purchased by each department individually. At that time we were using a significant amount of computer paper, and laser printers were scarce (if there were any at all!). The business manager would bid the computer paper annually and records from 1990-91 indicate that the business manager did request paper with recycled content. Quantities of copy paper in a variety of sizes and colors was stored in and sold from the Bookstore. Ampad was the manufacturer, and initially we supplied only paper from virgin pulp. In 1988-89, recycled product began to have a buying audience, and we tried to find copy paper with some recycled content. We requested recycled paper whenever we could get it, not only in copy and computer paper but in spiral notebooks and filler paper as well.

Timeline:

1995

By 1995, we had developed the bid process for copy paper which included the following goals and considerations:

"Our newly adopted Bates College Environmental Policy encourages us to purchase renewable, reusable, recyclable and recycled materials whenever possible. To that end, we are committed to finding a paper with the least amount of chlorine used in the bleaching process and the highest amount of recycled content. We are aware of the concerns regarding the use of recycled paper in copiers and laser printers and are interested in a recycled paper that will run smoothly through all of these printing processes (copiers, laser printers, offset press). Bright white paper is not necessarily required."

The bid sent out in June, 1995 and awarded in July to Lindenmeyer Munroe.

March, 1997: sent test reams of Rolland 100-percent chlorine-free paper around the campus and to our copier company, ABS.

March, 1997: Memo from Dennis Popodak (from our copier company, ABS) listing test results on the Sharp copiers at ABS: "The results were mixed after testing the full case of recycled paper from Recycled Office Products Inc. When run through the smaller copiers w/o duplexing there were no misfeeds on any machines. There was considerable curl to the sheets as they exited. Double-sided copying was not tested in these units. When run through the vacuum feed SD machines (SD-2060, etc) as well as the systems machines (SF 2025, 2035 etc.) there was as much as a 10 percent misfeed ratio on duplexed copies no matter what direction the lead edge was presented or which side of the paper was fed first. It was noted that the paper had a flimsy quality w/o much body and lacked the stiffness factor important in running duplex copies."

April, 1997: Steve Salois, the Lindenmeyer representative, attended a meeting of the Environmental Issues committee. Great White paper that we currently have uses an elemental chlorine-free process. Alkaline paper is acid-free. We should ask for chlorine paper every time we submit a bid request. Also need to ask if there are any fines levied against the paper manufacturer for environmental infractions...and where does the recycled content come from?

L.L. Bean currently involved in a "close-the-loop" program with Union Camp (UC), reclaiming their own waste and recycling it into new paper which they purchase from UC.

June, 1997: 1997-98 copier paper bid issued. Increase to 1,300 cartons of standard copier paper.

Bid letter:

Bates College is seeking information on pricing and delivery arrangements for copy paper. Attached, please find a sheet listing approximate quantities, sizes required and other pertinent specifications for our copy-paper needs for the 1997-98 academic year.

The Bates College Environmental Policy encourages us to purchase renewable, reusable, recyclable and recycled materials whenever possible. To that end, we are committed to finding a paper with the least amount of chlorine used in the bleaching process and the highest amount of recycled content. We are aware of the concerns regarding the use of recycled paper in copiers and laser printers and are interested in a recycled paper that will run smoothly through all of these processes (copiers, laser printers, offset press). Bright white paper is not necessarily required but is probably preferred.

Additionally, we are interested in receiving any information you care to share regarding the manufacturer's commitment to environmental concerns. For instance, does this paper product require less water to manufacture than competing products? Does the product use fewer polluting byproducts in manufacturing than competing products? Is the company producing the product in compliance with all environmental laws and regulations? Does the manufacturer have a creative program to "close the loop" in the paper use and recycling process, by providing the College with an opportunity to use its own paper to produce recycled paper at equal to or less than the cost of virgin paper while maintaining comparable or higher quality?

If you are interested in supplying this paper, please reply with the information requested, including any delivery fees/specifications, possible warehousing capabilities and samples by July 3, 1997. If you need further information regarding purchasing arrangements or any other specifics, please don't hesitate to call us. We hope to approve a contract by July 15, 1997, which will extend until June 30, 1998.

Description Quantity

April 4, 1998: Alternative Paper Conference held at Bates

May 7, 1998: On-campus paper meeting

June 11, 1998: Another paper meeting

May 29, 1998: 1998-99 paper bid mailed.

Same letter with the addition of the following language:

"Additionally, we are interested in receiving any information you care to share regarding the manufacturer's commitment to environmental concerns. For instance, does this proposed paper product require less water to manufacture than competing products? Does the product use fewer polluting byproducts in manufacturing than competing products? Is the company producing the product in compliance with all environmental laws and regulations? Does the manufacturer have a creative program to "close the loop" in the paper use and recycling process, by providing the College with an opportunity to use its own paper to produce recycled paper equal to or less than the cost of virgin paper while maintaining comparable or higher quality?

The quantities for the bid were the same as the previous year (1,300 cases of standard copier paper). Lindenmeyer Munroe received the bid again with a price of $4.83/M. Here is the paper "justification" from Steve Salois: "Great White D.P. By Union Camp. It has a 25 percent post-consumer waste (soon to be 30 percent) and is 50 percent total recycled. Also it is the only paper that I have been able to find that does not use chlorine in its processing of softwood virgin pulp and is all but one step from being able to process its hardwood chlorine free. Union Camp presently uses the ECF process on its virgin hardwoods. Also, Union Camp does not add any chlorine to its post consumer waste. Union Camp has been recognized for its environmentally friendly efforts by the E.P.A. throughout the past decade."

Recycled Office Products (Waltham, Mass.) represented by Joyce Kravitz of Bar Harbor, bid on Rolland Opaque Repro (30 percent post-consumer waste/50 percent recycled content which is PCF). The cost was $6.40/M which represented a significant increase over the Lindenmeyer Munroe price.