Paper recycling

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

[hide]This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these
issues on the talk page.
This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to
out-of-date information. Please update this article to reflect
recent events or newly available information. (July 2013)
The neutrality of this article is disputed. Relevant discussion
may be found on the talk page. Please do not remove this
message until the dispute is resolved. (July 2013)

Waste paper collected for recycling in Italy

Paper recycling is the process of turning waste paper into new paper products. There are
three categories of paper that can be used as feedstocks for making recycled paper: mill
broke, pre-consumer waste, and post-consumer waste.[1] Mill broke is paper trimmings and
other paper scrap from the manufacture of paper, and is recycled internally in a paper mill.
Pre-consumer waste is material which left the paper mill but was discarded before it was
ready for consumer use. Post-consumer waste is material discarded after consumer use, such
as old corrugated containers (OCC), old magazines, old newspapers (ONP), office paper, old
telephone directories, and residential mixed paper (RMP).[1] Paper suitable for recycling is
called "scrap paper", often used to produce molded pulp packaging. The industrial process of
removing printing ink from paperfibers of recycled paper to make deinked pulp is called
deinking, an invention of the German jurist Justus Claproth.

Contents
[hide]

1 Paper recycling process

2 Rationale for recycling

2.1 Energy

2.2 Landfill use

2.3 Water and air pollution

3 Recycling facts and figures

4 Paper recycling by region

o

4.1 European Union

4.2 Japan

4.3 United States

4.4 Mexico

5 See also

6 References

7 External links

Paper recycling process[edit]

Main article: deinking
The process of paper recycling involves mixing used paper with water and chemicals to break
it down. It is then chopped up and heated, which breaks it down further into strands of
cellulose, a type of organic plant material; this resulting mixture is called pulp, or slurry. It is
strained through screens, which remove any glue or plastic that may still be in the mixture
then cleaned, de-inked, bleached, and mixed with water. Then it can be made into new
recycled paper.[2] The same fibers can be recycled about seven times, but they get shorter
every time and eventually are strained out.[3]

Rationale for recycling[edit]

Industrialized paper making has an effect on the environment both upstream (where raw
materials are acquired and processed) and downstream (waste-disposal impacts).[4]
Today, 90% of paper pulp is created from wood ( in most modern mills only 9-16% of pulp is
made from pulp logs the rest from waste wood that was traditionally burnt). Paper production
accounts for about 35% of felled trees,[5] and represents 1.2% of the world's total economic
output.[6] Recycling one ton of newsprint saves about 1 ton of wood while recycling 1 ton of
printing or copier paper saves slightly more than 2 tons of wood.[7] This is because kraft
pulping requires twice as much wood since it removes lignin to produce higher quality fibres

than mechanical pulping processes. Relating tons of paper recycled to the number of trees not
cut is meaningless, since tree size varies tremendously and is the major factor in how much
paper can be made from how many trees.[8] Trees raised specifically for pulp production
account for 16% of world pulp production, old growth forests 9% and second- and third- and
more generation forests account for the balance.[5] Most pulp mill operators practice
reforestation to ensure a continuing supply of trees.[citation needed] The Programme for the
Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
certify paper made from trees harvested according to guidelines meant to ensure good
forestry practices.[9] It has been estimated that recycling half the worlds paper would avoid
the harvesting of 20 million acres (81,000 km) of forestland.[10]

Energy[edit]
Energy consumption is reduced by recycling,[11] although there is debate concerning the actual
energy savings realized. The Energy Information Administration claims a 40% reduction in
energy when paper is recycled versus paper made with unrecycled pulp,[12] while the Bureau
of International Recycling (BIR) claims a 64% reduction.[13] Some calculations show that
recycling one ton of newspaper saves about 4,000 kWh (14 GJ) of electricity, although this
may be too high (see comments below on unrecycled pulp) ( recycling paper also produces
no free energy in the way of process steam or recovery steam thus making it more expensive
to recycle paper than to make new paper[citation needed]). This is enough electricity to power a 3bedroom European house for an entire year, or enough energy to heat and air-condition the
average North American home for almost six months.[14] Recycling paper to make pulp
actually consumes more fossil fuels than making new pulp via the kraft process; these mills
generate most of their energy from burning waste wood (bark, roots, sawmill waste) and
byproduct lignin (black liquor).[15] Pulp mills producing new mechanical pulp use large
amounts of energy; a very rough estimate of the electrical energy needed is 10 gigajoules per
tonne of pulp (2500 kWh per short ton).[16]

Landfill use[edit]
About 35% of municipal solid waste (before recycling) by weight is paper and paper
products.[17]

Water and air pollution[edit]

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that recycling causes
35% less water pollution and 74% less air pollution than making virgin paper.[18] Pulp mills
can be sources of both air and water pollution, especially if they are producing bleached pulp.
Modern mills produce considerably less pollution than those of a few decades ago. Recycling
paper decreases the demand for virgin pulp, thus reducing the overall amount of air and water
pollution associated with paper manufacture. Recycled pulp can be bleached with the same
chemicals used to bleach virgin pulp, but hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydrosulfite are the
most common bleaching agents. Recycled pulp, or paper made from it, is known as PCF
(process chlorine free) if no chlorine-containing compounds were used in the recycling
process.[19] However, recycling mills may have polluting by-products like sludge. De-inking
at Cross Pointe's Miami, Ohio mill results in sludge weighing 22% of the weight of
wastepaper recycled.[20]

Recycling facts and figures[edit]

In the mid-19th century, there was an increased demand for books and writing material. Up to
that time, paper manufacturers had used discarded linen rags for paper, but supply could not
keep up with the increased demand. Books were bought at auctions for the purpose of
recycling fiber content into new paper, at least in the United Kingdom, by the beginning of
the 19th century.[21]
Internationally, about half of all recovered paper comes from converting losses (pre-consumer
recycling), such as shavings and unsold periodicals; approximately one third comes from
household or post-consumer waste.[22]
Some statistics on paper consumption:

The average per capita paper use worldwide was 110 pounds (50 kg).[23]

It is estimated that 95% of business information is still stored on paper.[24]

Recycling 1 short ton (0.91 t) of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7 thousand US gallons
(26 m3) of water, 3 cubic yards (2.3 m3) of landfill space, 2 barrels of oil (84 US gal or
320 l), and 4,100 kilowatt-hours (15 GJ) of electricity enough energy to power the
average American home for six months.[25]

Although paper is traditionally identified with reading and writing, communications

has now been replaced by packaging as the single largest category of paper use at
41% of all paper used.[26]

115 billion sheets of paper are used annually for personal computers.[27] The average
web user prints 28 pages daily.[28]

Most corrugated fiberboard boxes have over 25% recycled fibers[citation needed]. Some are
100% recycled fiber.

Recycling one ton of paper saves roughly 17 trees.[29]

In 1997, 299,044 metric tons of paper was produced (including paperboard).[30]

In the United States, the average consumption of paper per person in 1999 was
approximately 354 kilograms. This would be the same consumption for 6 people in
Asia or 30 people in Africa.[29]

In 2006-2007, Australia 5.5 million tonnes of paper and cardboard was used with 2.5
million tonnes of this recycled.[31]

Newspaper manufactured in Australia has 40% recycled content.[32]

Paper recycling by region[edit]

European Union[edit]
Paper recovery in Europe has a long history and has grown into a mature organization. In
2004 the paper recycling rate in Europe was 54.6% or 45.5 million short tons (41.3 Mt).[33]
The recycling rate in Europe reached 64.5% in 2007, leaving the industry on track to meeting
its voluntary target of 66% by 2010.[34]

Japan[edit]
Municipal collections of paper for recycling are in place. However, according to the Yomiuri
Shimbun, in 2008, eight paper manufacturers in Japan have admitted to intentionally
mislabeling recycled paper products, exaggerating the amount of recycled paper used.[citation
needed]

United States[edit]
Recycling has long been practiced in the United States. The history of paper recycling has
several dates of importance:

1690: The first paper mill to use recycled linen was established by the Rittenhouse
family.[35]

1896: The first major recycling center was started by the Benedetto family in New
York City, where they collected rags, newspaper, and trash with a pushcart.

1993: The first year when more paper was recycled than was buried in landfills.[36]

Today, over half of all paper used in the United States is collected and recycled.[37] Paper
products are still the largest component of municipal solid waste, making up more than 40%
of the composition of landfills.[38][39] In 2006, a record 53.4% of the paper used in the US (or
53.5 million tons) was recovered for recycling.[40] This is up from a 1990 recovery rate of
33.5%.[40] The US paper industry set a goal of recovering 55 percent of all paper used in the
US by 2012. Paper products used by the packaging industry were responsible for about 77%
of packaging materials recycled, with more than 24 million pounds recovered in 2005.[41]
By 1998, some 9,000 curbside recycling programs and 12,000 recyclable drop-off centers
existed nationwide. As of 1999, 480 materials recovery facilities had been established to
process the collected materials.[42]
In 2008, the global financial crisis caused the price of old newspapers to drop in the U.S.
from $130 to $40 per short ton ($140/t to $45/t) in October.[43]
Every year, the city of Phoenix, America recycles 100,000 tons of paper and paper-related
products.[29]

Mexico[edit]

In Mexico, recycled paper, rather than wood pulp, is the principal feedstock in papermills
accounting for about 75% of raw materials.[44]

What is Recycled Paper Used for?

Source: By: Spirit Fire, Flickr

What Is Recycled Paper Used For?

We all hear about how important it is to recycle items. From aluminum soda cans and glass
bottles to plastic food containers and cardboard boxes, we know that items can be recycled for
reuse to help preserve the planet. Recycled paper has thousands of uses in the world, saving
thousands of acres of forests. All you have to do is place paper waste into a recycling receptacle
rather than a trash can- and the paper's journey through the recycling process begins. Once you
set the paper into the correct recycling bin, it is then transported to a recycling facility. Here, the
paper is broken down, sanitized, and prepared for reuse. Since paper begins as a pasty
substance, it can be recycled, formed, dried, and used many times. After a few cycles, the paper
begins to disintegrate and can no longer be used. But just what is recycled paper used for???

See all 6 photos

Source: Photo by: themonnie, Flickr

Using Recycled Paper for Egg Cartons

One of the most notable items recycled paper is used for is egg cartons. These cartons are
perfect for recycled paper, as the material is very strong and provides fragile eggs with a sturdy
and secure storage container. If you look closely at an egg carton, you will notice the rugged
appearance; it is made up of thousands of bits of different types of paper. It is incredibly thick and
strong!

See all 6 photos

Source: Photo by: zhouxuan12345678 on Flickr

Pet Bedding: Recycled Paper Can be Used for Pet Hygiene

If you own a pet, whether it be a cat, dog, rabbit, rat, hamster, or ferret, you probably have a use
for bedding. Cats and kittens need litter material, and many different types of recycled paper can
be used for a healthy clay alternative. It is safe for the cat, non-toxic, clean, biodegradable, and
environmentally friendly. The recycled paper bedding is also good for dog houses, and it will not
harm the ground should it be kicked out of the dog house. As for other small animals that stay in
cages, you do not have to worry about the animals eating the recycled paper when it is used in
their cages. Recycled paper can be used as a highly absorbent bedding, compounding its
usefulness for animal lovers.

Have You Ever Used Recycled Paper Bedding?

Yes

No

See results without voting

Paper Recycling Centers Across the Country

show route and directionshide route and directions

Show with distances in

Nashville Recycling 707 19th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
[get directions]

San Francisco Recycling 2370 Jerrold Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94124, USA
[get directions]

New York City Recycling 139 Plymouth Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA

[get directions]

Houston Recycling 6810 Irvington Boulevard, Houston, TX 77022, USA

[get directions]

Miami Recycling 2120 Northwest 14th Avenue, Miami, FL 33142, USA

[get directions]

Inkster Recycling 29131 Michigan Avenue, Inkster, MI 48141, USA

[get directions]

Omaha Recycling 7202 North 16th Street, Omaha, NE 68112, USA

[get directions]

Salt Lake City Recycling 2950 West 900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84104, USA
[get directions]

{"lat":34.447971,"lng":-98.195488,"zoom":2,"mapType":"ROADMAP","markers":
[{"id":"46892","lat":36.161621,"lng":-86.804375,"name":"Nashville Recycling","address":"707 19th
Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208, USA","description":""},{"id":"46893","lat":37.746998,"lng":122.403107,"name":"San Francisco Recycling","address":"2370 Jerrold Avenue, San Francisco,
CA 94124, USA","description":""},{"id":"46894","lat":40.703857,"lng":-73.987869,"name":"New
York City Recycling","address":"139 Plymouth Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA","description":""},
{"id":"46895","lat":29.82058,"lng":-95.35862,"name":"Houston Recycling","address":"6810
Irvington Boulevard, Houston, TX 77022, USA","description":""},
{"id":"46897","lat":25.796446,"lng":-80.219673,"name":" Miami Recycling","address":"2120
Northwest 14th Avenue, Miami, FL 33142, USA","description":""},
{"id":"46899","lat":42.288773,"lng":-83.328064,"name":"Inkster Recycling","address":"29131

Michigan Avenue, Inkster, MI 48141, USA","description":""},{"id":"46900","lat":41.324726,"lng":95.938377,"name":"Omaha Recycling","address":"7202 North 16th Street, Omaha, NE 68112,
USA","description":""},{"id":"46901","lat":40.750755,"lng":-111.96312,"name":"Salt Lake City
Recycling","address":"2950 West 900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84104, USA","description":""}]}

Using Recycled Paper for Hospital Gowns

Believe it or not, recycled paper can actually be used for hospital gowns! This is perhaps the
most unlikely guess you would have made when you were contemplating "what is recycled paper
used for?". Hospital gowns can either be made of flexible recycled paper or fabrics, with many
doctors offices using recycled paper gowns. Since many small doctors offices do not have
laundry facilities, this is much more convenient. For hospitals and emergency rooms, fabric
gowns are much more convenient since they can be reused several times.

Newspapers: A Great Way to Use Up Recycled Paper

Newspapers might not be as common as they once were, and this is due to the ever growing
digital age. Now, many turn to the internet and television to hear local and national news, as well
as weather. While newspapers have dropped in popularity, they are still widely consumed. They
are of a lower grade of paper; this means that they are a prime candidate for reused paper. Since
paper ranges in quality depending on the length of the fibers within the paper, higher quality
items cannot be made from recycled paper. The more paper is recycled, the short the fibers get.
Newspapers are printed daily and generate a lot of paper waste; printers eventually realized the
cost effective and environmentally friendly benefits of recycling far outweigh the benefits of using
higher quality paper.

Manufacturing Cardboard Boxes with Recycled Paper

When one asks "What is recycled paper used for?", many of us first think of cardboard boxes.
Since this was already one of the more well known uses for recycled paper, we're not going to
put this one up high in the list. However, recycling paper for the production of cardboard boxes is
incredibly wise and makes a huge environmental impact. Nearly everything we consume is
shipped in cardboard boxes! From food and toiletry items to clothing and even other paper
products, cardboard is without a doubt one of the most widely used paper products.

See all 6 photos

Source: Photo By: Chris Mear, Flickr

Recycling Paper for Tissues and Paper Towels

How often do you use tissues when your nose runs, or paper towels when you wash your
hands? The answer is probably quite often. Thanks to recycling, these paper products do not
have a huge impact on our forests. The paper that is used for tissues and paper towels tends to
be incredibly soft and fine. This is because the paper fibers are very short and weakened. For
tissues, strength generally is not a big concern, as they are used for gift wrapping, runny noses,
and skin care. This is usually the last time the paper within these items will be recycled, as the
fibers will be much too weak for another recycling process.

Using Recycled Paper for Insulation

When you get hot or cold during the changing seasons, you probably make use of your central
heat and air unit. While this helps us to stay comfortable no matter the time of year, it would not
be very effective without an insulated building. Insulation serves to keep the temperature of a
building from becoming the same as the outdoors; saving us money and keeping our heat and
air units from burning up. Some homes are insulated with fiberglass, while others have made use
of the insulation benefits of paper products. Recycled paper is an incredible choice for insulation,
and it is becoming a much more common sight with the green revolution that our culture is
currently undergoing.

See all 6 photos

Check out this incredible paper mache man! It looks like a genuine statue! How unbelievable is
that?
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Arts and Crafts with Recycled Paper

Recycling paper does not always have to involved a recycling plant; it can happen right at home!
Old paper can be used in a variety of crafts, offering a cheap solution when it comes to crafty
kids. Paper Mache is a childhood classic with kids who love art! They can creative amazing three
dimensional sculptures. This artwork can also become functional. Paper mache can even be
used to make furniture!

See all 6 photos

Source: Via Stacie on Flickr

Gardening with Recycled Paper

For plants, recycled paper can be used to create planters, seed starter cups, and much more.
When you purchase plants from your local gardening store, you may notice that the paper

planters that they come in are recycled paper. This allows for the plants to be directly planted
without having to be removed from the planters. With the billions of plants that are started and
sold every year, this method of containing them is much more easy going on our trees. If you are
a gardener, you are probably guilty of buying dozens of plants every year; now, think about the
millions of hobbyist gardeners across the world. The impact of switching from plastic planters to
recycled paper planters can make a huge difference in how much plastic we are currently using,
while offering yet another purpose for recycling paper