In the UK we use more than 12 million tonnes of paper every year. The good news is that paper is one of the most recyclable materials, and we now recycle most of the paper and cardboard we use at home and in businesses. Government initiatives have made the process relatively straightforward and easily accessible, so the paper recycling process is a huge success story in the history of recycling.
The Importance Of Recycling Paper
Recycling helps to reduce the volume of waste being sent to landfill. You can find out more about the benefits of recycling and the different types of recycling in our dedicated articles.
The paper recycling process allows waste paper to be recycled and reused, often being made into paper or paper products multiple times. Importantly, recycled paper does not require trees to be cut down, and uses less energy and water in the manufacturing process than is used to make new paper, so it also helps to conserve natural resources.
Paper Recycling Facts
- In the UK around 80% of the paper we use is recycled.
- Recycling one tonne of paper saves three cubic metres of landfill, 7000 gallons of water and nearly 400 gallons of oil.
- 24 trees are needed to make one tonne of new paper.
The Paper Recycling Process
Lots of different types of paper products can be recycled easily, they need to be clean and uncontaminated by dirt, food or liquids. Let’s look in more detail at how paper is recycled.
Collection
The paper recycling process starts with waste paper products being collected, ready to be taken to a recycling facility. Keeping paper uncontaminated by food, chemicals and grease will ensure it can be recycled. In homes and businesses separate bins or boxes for recycling can minimise contamination. Don’t forget, shredded paper needs to be recycled in a slightly different way to other paper products, and can’t usually be recycled via household recycling collections.
Transporting And Sorting
The collected paper is then transported to be sorted and processed at a suitable recycling facility. At this point, the different types of paper are separated so they can be dealt with in slightly different ways. Magazines, glossy paper, printed documents, packaging and cardboard are all separated, ready to be processed at the next stage. Any items that have been contaminated with liquids, food or chemicals are also removed.
Shredding And Pulping
When the paper has been separated into types and any contaminated materials have been removed, it is ready to be sent to the next stage. Bales of paper are taken to a paper mill where they are chopped up into scraps. Water and chemicals are added to break down the fibres and turn the paper into pulp. Screening the pulp removes any remaining contaminants like tape, staples or paperclips.
De-inking
Next, the pulp enters a tank with chemicals and air, this helps to remove inks and dyes from the paper, making it clean and white. At this stage, the pulp is roughly 99% water. If making coloured paper, dyes will also be added to create the required shade.
Drying
The final stage of paper recycling happens during the drying process. The pulp is sprayed onto a mesh and goes through a set of rollers to remove moisture, followed by another set of rollers that are heated to compact the paper and form it into a long sheet. These long sheets create huge rolls of recycled paper which are then sent to be made into paper products by manufacturers.
Rolls of recycled paper are sold to manufacturers for use in products such as books, magazines, packaging, and newspapers. Although it sounds like a lot of energy and resources are used in recycling paper, it is actually much less than is required to make paper from new materials. Much of the water used in the process is recovered and used again.
Conclusion
Now you know exactly how paper is recycled we’re hoping you’ll think twice before just throwing it out. Doing your bit and contributing to the environment by recycling paper at home properly will help keep the world turning and make it a greener place.
