Help Find Commercial Recycled Products!

I'm trying to help out a sort of futile political campaign here locally. I say sort of futile because enough has changed (districting and 'current events') to where we actually might stand a chance. I've tossed myself into his right wholeheartedly, and am trying to put my help where I'm most valuable.

I had hoped that, using the power of the internet, I could find a place to produce their campaign materials (signage, flyers, stickers, etc) out of at least partially recycled materials - that can themselves be recycled. It's harder than I thought! I've called many a local sign shop (our preference would normally be to buy locally) who can't even point me in the right direction. I've searched on the internet, but I'm coming up short. How do I find a niche product like this?

I'm not really willing to spend 'much' more of the precious little money they've got on upgrading to recycled/able goods, but I'm SURE these products exist at comprable prices. Can anyone help me find someone quick, reasonably priced, and environmentally friendly? Thanks!

 

Well, the good news is that recycled papers are becoming more common and less expensive. SSimon, you might be surprised at how reasonably priced the papers are getting. You can get 30% recycled paper for very close to what virgin paper costs - 5 cases from Staples for $130 after coupon&tax. We've been using 30% paper for a while now in our office laser printer with no ill effects. The 100% and chlorine free variety is more expensive (3 cases for $120) but that's still much less than it used to be. I found several local printers who stock 25-40% papers, a couple of them even use environmentally friendly ink. For flyers and posters, I think we'll be able to get cost effective recycled products.

As for signage, I've been searching high and low for yard signs. We're in Florida, and cardboard signs tend to self destruct by November. Doesn't stop some people, but we don't want to be the folks whose signs are clumpifying on the ground under the frame. Their initial plan was to order the corrugated plastic signs that are popular here - they're expensive, but sturdy. Unfortunately, none appear to be made from recycled materials. I'll have to check to see if they are recyclable, but they might well be useful to other groups even if they aren't.

The best thing I've found got so far are the "bag signs" - poly bags that slip over metal frames. There are at least a couple companies who say that "recycled material is used in the manufacture..." but I don't have any numbers yet. They do say the bags are recyclable in most areas. Wstander, good call on the recycling company - I'll put a call in tomorrow morning to see what they can and cannot process. They are a good bit cheaper than the corrugated plastic signs, too - makes the switch easier. The metal frames (for all yard signs) are sort of expensive, and very heavy - we might be able to get them locally for less in the end. Don't know what on earth we'd do with several thousand metal frames at the end of the season, either.

Anyway, pretty good prospects. Thanks for the help so far - feel free to chime in with anything else you think might help. Hope my research is valuable to someone else along the way =)