The Equology series is constructed from recycled material and fibers.Because of the removable cover, this Minister is a smidgen larger than the Robert le héros version I've been using all year. But the removable cover allows you to purchase inserts rather than whole new calendars every year. Unlike the removable cover on the Space 17, this recycled cover is a softer, rubbery, more pliable material, less likely to nick dry fingers when you reach into a bag to get it. I found that to be a problem with the Space 17; the edges of the plastic cover would scratch me if I didn't make sure to put it in my bag with the bound side up.
The other major difference between the two is that the Robert le héros version does not have a detachable booklet for notes/addresses, instead it has only an elastic strap. Also the le héros version has rounded page edges and the Equology does not.(Robert le héros version left with Waterman Patrician, Equology right with Pilot Vanishing Point. The pens are only there to prop the books open. )
The quality of the recycled paper is good. I find it has a touch more "tooth" than the non-recycled version, but that is not a complaint. The color of the paper is not bleached as white as in the non-recycled version, it is more of a duller white, with small fibers visible, however it does have some brighteners; UV inks do not show up well under black lights on this paper.(Equology on top, Robert le héros on bottom.)
Ink flows smoothly on to the paper, with no bleeding in either version.(Equology at left, Robert le heros at right. Ink: Noodler's Ottoman Rose)
There is not a big problem of show through with either version. The 90g paper weight handles fountain pen ink well. The recycled version seems more susceptible to pressure; what's written on the reverse left an imprint, visible under December 12, 12-2:00. If you tend to press hard when you write, you may want to take note of that.(Equology on top, Robert le héros on bottom. Ink: Noodler's Ellis Island Blue Black)
As for the 2009 Minister, it got a lot of use - I carried it with me to work every day - and it held up well. I had no other complaints with it (other than those originally stated: I would have preferred a smaller size with the same weight of paper; the Executive probably would have been a better option for me.) But I'm fine with having a Minister for an additional year and so far I prefer the recycled paper to the regular version.
