Paper Recycling

Paper is one of the easiest materials to recycle, once the paper is collected it is then: sorted, graded and delivered to a paper mill, once at the paper mill it is added to water and then turned into pulp, the paper is then screened, cleaned and de-inked through a number of processes until it is suitable for papermaking, it is then ready to be made into new paper products such as newsprint, cardboard, packaging, tissue and office items.

Paper is a biodegradable material; this means that when it goes to landfill it will rot; bacteria will form and produce methane.  This is a powerful greenhouse gas that is 23 times more potent than CO2 (carbon dioxide) and contributes to climate change.  We currently recycle 66% of the paper we use.

Manufacturing virgin (brand new) paper uses more energy than making recycled paper, but varies dependent on the grade or type of paper being made. Lower quality paper, such as newsprint and packaging paper, require less energy to manufacture than office paper.