Paper companies in the United States will be recycling 40 percent of their material, if they comply with the commitments they have made. However, a president of a recycled paper sales company points out that the paper industry considers mill scrap, which had never been meant for public consumption, recycled paper.

Inclusion of paper wasted in mill and forming operations has been admitted by the industry. (including the trimmings that are left when envelopes are produced) in figures on recycling, yet other plants (the production of newspapers, magazines and similar distributions) in addition "recycle" since de-inking tools were designed, but is it reported in the same proportions? The definition of recycling has become a major concern, as manufacturers become increasing concerned about appearing environmentally responsible, due to increased regulation.

Recycling usually brings to mind old cans or newspapers. It is, however, quite a bit more detailed when discussing paper making. Included in the recycling are printing overruns, and mill and processing errors.

As a result of inconsistent definitions as to what actually constitutes recycled material, Government purchasing programs designed to provide recycling incentives are flawed. There appears to be no standard for what constitutes recycled paper, some say it is any paper made solely from mill waste while others rely on a percentage of the fiber content that has had ink removed from it.

The target of 40% can be reached very easily by manufacturers when mill waste and industrial cuttings are counted as recycled paper. This, however, does not address the issue of recycling office and household paper. If the industry does not reuse its own waste landfills will fill more quickly.