What is the difference between pre-consumer and post-consumer products?

What is the difference between pre-consumer and post-consumer products?

Dan Sharp (Green Family Expert) gives expert video advice on: 'Paper' or 'plastic'- which is better for the environment?; What do the numbers near the recycling logo on a plastic container mean?; What does biodegradable mean? and more...

Pre-consumer products are products that have been made by recycling scraps from the manufacturing process. The scraps haven't been used by the consumer yet, so it's pre-consumer, but it is recycling from the manufacturing process. For example, the ends of the toilet paper rolls, or things like that. Post-consumer products are products that use material that has previously been used by a consumer and now the material has been made into something new.