1. Closed Loop – What is it? Closed Loop is a cross-Government initiative led by HMRC on behalf of Government Procurement Service (GPS). It aims to create both economic and environmental benefits by recycling Government waste paper into paper products. Closed Loop securely collects and destroy Government white paper waste, including confidential paper. The waste is then pulped and recycled into Closed Loop copier paper and provided back to Government as a competitive, quality end product. The Process The Benefits Waste securely shredded and transported to mill SECURITY – The process is fully auditable and compliant with Cabinet Office security guidelines Waste white paper collected from offices Mill recycles waste into Closed Loop paper ENVIRONMENTAL – All recovered waste paper is recycled, significantly reducing natural resource consumption and carbon footprint Staff put all white paper waste into CL Paper transported back to be sold through Government Office Supplies Contract COMMERCIAL– In a volatile paper market, providing the raw materials stabilises and reduces the price of the end product Staff use CL paper Progress UK ECONOMY – The optimisation of Government waste paper has the potential to impact the Growth agenda by triggering investment in a recycling facility/mill. Creating employment opportunities for individuals and SMEs 16 of the 17 central government departments currently put their waste into Closed Loop. Currently the total annualised tonnage for Closed Loop waste in central government is 30K tonnes; this is a fraction of the white paper waste that is being disposed of by our Facilities Management suppliers. Waste not going through Closed Loop is potentially being sold by suppliers on the open market or put into landfill. 16 out of 17 departments purchase Closed Loop paper. Over 525,000 boxes were purchased by central government for 2012/13, saving £600,000. But Closed Loop paper represents less than 60% of the total copier paper purchased: as a consequence, savings are being missed.