The Recycling of Paper

Paper is one of the most recyclable materials around. Unlike many materials, paper can be turned back into paper through the process of recycling, meaning it is used more than once for the same purpose. Recycled paper can also be used for other purposes, with cardboard a common example.

There are three types of paper that can be used for recycling; mill broke paper, pre-consumer paper and post-consumer paper. Mill broke paper are paper trimmings that are left over from the manufacture of paper. It is effectively waste from the paper making process, but as it is recycled it is not actually wasted. Pre-consumer paper is paper that made it through the paper making process but was then discarded due to not being considered fit for its intended use. Post-consumer waste is recycled after use, and can come from magazines, newspapers and office paper amongst other things.

The first part of the paper recycling process is paper being separated into different types and grades. Paper contaminated with food, plastic, metal and other materials are removed from the process. Sometimes paper has been sorted into grades prior to getting to the recycling plant, for example by people at home (depending on the recycling processes in a particular area). Other times paper of all types are collected and taken to the plant where they are sorted out.

Any ink must be removed from paper; this process is called Deinking. This is most relevant to post-consumer paper waste, especially newspapers and magazines. It is washed thoroughly with soapy water to make sure ink is fully removed. Other materials, such as glue and staples, are also removed here.

Once the deinking stage is complete a collection of paper (possibly thousands of pieces of paper) are put into a Pulper. This is like a massive bowl. The recyclable paper is chopped into small pieces and turned into fibres. It is mixed with water, which creates a paste like substance, or pulp. Depending on the type of product being made from the recycled paper other materials are then added to the process.

Where paper is being made into paper again large rollers are used next to spread the pulp onto. The pulp is spread thinly onto the rollers so they become large, thin sheets. This is then left to dry. After this it is a finished Paper Product. It can be rolled up and cut, and then sent on to wherever it needs to go next.

Although the number of people recycling has increased less than 50% of paper in the UK is recycled and reused, whether used as paper or other products such as cardboard. There are many advantages to recycling paper. Less energy is needed to reproduce paper from recycled paper than having to produce it initially and it causes less pollution. It also means forests can be better preserved as fewer trees are needed to produce paper from scratch. We use a lot of paper and recycling it can make a big difference.

Andrew Marshall (c)