Recycled Checks

The X-9 Committee, which determines the standards and guidelines for the financial industry, is having problems trying to become environmentally responsive in the area of check printing. They would like the banking industry to use checks printed on recycled paper.

However, in order to be considered "recycled", the government requires at least 50 percent of the fiber used in a paper product be post-consumer waste. This high percentage of recycled material reduces strength, increases dust, and may not be completely free of magnetic ink particles.

They're still working on it.

Copyright © 1992 Bankers' Hotline. Originally appeared in Bankers' Hotline, Vol. 3, No. 2, 5/92