Corrugated cardboard boxes, some papers and many glass bottles often have labels stating they’re "made from recycled material." This is highly commendable. However, the percentage of recycled material that is used may be quite low.

At this time, only a limited number of items are created of 100% post-consumer material. Some of the products labeled “made from recycled materials” have actually been manufactured from scrap material left over from factory production. Using material swept up from the factory floor rather than throwing it away makes good environmental sense, but calling it “recycled” can be misleading.