Introduction to paper recycling

For those looking to reduce the waste stream, recycling paper is the perfect way to go. Especially since paper is wasted in large quantities throughout the year. This process involves recovering a lot of paper fiber, which can be reused and transformed into cardboard, new paper, or various paper items. It’s true that recycling paper isn’t as effective as recycling metal or glass, but it’s a great way to help the environment and conserve resources.

When you decide to recycle paper, you manage to reduce the waste of water, energy, trees and the amount of pollutants emitted by plants that are transformed into paper. Studies claim that recycling paper can be 40% more effective than building paper from scratch in an ecological way. Those who want to recycle green can use non-toxic bleach, alternative energy, and reclaimed water to process the paper (not fresh water).

The consumer is the one who starts recycling. He or she separates the types of paper into recycling bins. All paper can be recycled, and then specialized companies select glossy, matte or colored paper and cardboard. In case they do not have the facility to process a type of product made of paper, these companies sell these items to the companies that have this capacity. In the place that deals with recycling, the paper is divided into staples, types, clips, etc., eliminating contaminants.

The next step is to shred the paper and mix it with water. This combination is similar to a mulch that is processed by soaking and mixing. Subsequently, the pulp is used to generate new paper, papermaking screens, cartons or paper insulation. If the process requires it, the pulp can be bleached even before it is shaped into new paper. If not, the pulp can retain its natural state.

In rare cases, paper is fully recycled, and that’s because the fibers are shortened while being processed. It must be combined with virgin pulp to create a strong and durable paper. In addition to this, most paper has a unique ability to recycle: before it runs out, paper can be recycled 4-6 times. In this case, the fibers that are shortened are removed because they cannot be used. The recycled paper includes labels that indicate the percentage of the content to guide the consumer.

The residues that remain from recycled paper include fiber that can no longer be used, inks or various contaminants. All of these are known by the name of sludge, which in some cases is buried in landfills. Typically, it is spread over existing crops in the fields as mulch, or in other cases, burned to power the paper company. While some people may say that the burned sludge pollutes, in some situations this action is an eco-friendly way of boosting the paper producing company. Not to mention that if the sludge is used efficiently, producers can reduce the degree of contamination.