[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book II)]
[September 14, 1998]
[Pages 1581-1582]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Government Use of Recycled Products
September 14, 1998

    Today I am pleased to sign an Executive order strengthening Federal 
efforts to protect the environment and promote economic growth through 
the purchase of recycled and other environmentally preferable products.
    As the Nation's largest paper purchaser, the Federal Government has 
a special responsibility to lead the way in building markets for 
recycled goods. Since 1993, when I signed an earlier Executive order to 
promote recycling, we have

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quadrupled our purchase of recycled-content paper. Today we are going 
the next step. I am directing agencies to ensure that as of January 1 
they purchase only recycled paper. Through this single action, we will 
save up to half a million trees a year, reduce air and water pollution, 
and curb emissions that contribute to global warming. We will also 
harness our tremendous purchasing power to spur the growing market for 
recycled products.
    To further promote the use of environmentally preferable products, 
this ``Greening the Government'' Executive order also directs agencies 
to establish recycling targets, encourages them to purchase biobased and 
other ``green'' products, and creates a White House task force to 
oversee Federal recycling efforts.
    Recycling is one of America's great environmental success stories. 
Across the country, families and businesses each day demonstrate their 
commitment to our environment through the simple act of recycling. By 
redoubling our efforts to ``green the Government,'' we are demonstrating 
once again that the environment and the economy go hand in hand, and 
helping to promote a more sustainable future for America.

Note: The Executive order is listed in Appendix D at the end of this 
volume.