Japanese Paper Companies Say They Fudged Recycling Levels

Several of the top paper companies in Japan have admitted that they cheated in stating the recycled-content level in some of their products, according to announcements made by the Japanese press.

So far, Oji Paper and Nippon paper, the two largest paper companies in Japan, as well as Daio paper Corp., Mitsubishi Paper Mills Ltd., and Hokuetsu Paper Mills have all admitted to making false statements on their recycling ratios.

All five companies padded the amounts of recycled paper used in paper for copiers and printers, as well as other products. In one extreme case, Oji Paper sold copier paper boasting a recycled paper content as high as 70 pct whereas no such paper was actually used.

The five paper mills already have admitted they lied about the used paper content ratios for postcards.