Environment Recycling & Waste Post-Consumer Recycled Goods: Recycling Waste Into Stuff By Collin Dunn Collin Dunn Twitter Managing Editor Pacific Lutheran University BA, English Colin Dunn is a writer and former managing editor of TreeHugger. Learn about our editorial process Updated October 11, 2018 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Peter Dazeley / Getty Images Environment Plastics Zero Waste What is "post-consumer recycled"?Once a material or finished product has served its intended use and has been diverted or recovered from waste destined for disposal, it is then considered "post-consumer." Having completed its life as a consumer item, it can then be recycled as such. This differs from "pre-consumer" or "post-industrial" waste, which is generated by industrial or manufacturing waste. Post-consumer recycled starts with our wasteJust about all industrial processes generate waste; the paper and printing industries, for example, recycle ends of paper rolls, misprints, scraps from trimming, etc. This pre-consumer waste is produced in large quantities in a relatively small number of locations; this is the polar opposite of post-consumer waste, which generally comes from our homes. As such, post-consumer waste is more difficult to separate and collect, but very important as it keeps tons of material from going to the landfill.So, where are you likely to find this stuff?