What's the difference between "post-consumer fiber" and "post-consumer waste" in recycled paper?

Question

When I try to read and understand the labels of green products, I get so confused. When it comes to "recycled paper" what is the difference between "post-consumer waste" and "post-consumer fibers?" They sound like the same thing. Which type of recycled paper is better?

Answer 1

Recovered, or recycled, fibers have previously been used in paper products and then been reclaimed to be made into new products. Recovered fibers include two categories:

Preconsumer recovered fibers come from paper scraps generated during the paper making, converting, and printing processes – paper that has not reached the end user. These are regularly reused to make new paper.

Post consumer recovered fibers, on the other hand, come from products that have reached the consumer and then been recycled back into the paper making process.

I would question them on what is meant by post consumer waste. It would appear that they are making a distinction between what has not been used (fiber) and what has been actually used (waste). Newsprint that has not been inked would be considered fiber. After it is inked it becomes waste.  

Answer 2

there's no difference.

advertising people are just amazing with words...

even if they don't mean a thing.