Before paper if recycled, it is categorised into three sections – namely mill broke, post-consumer waste and pre-consumer waste. The paper manufacturers use the scrap paper materials for recycling purpose and this is done internally in the mill itself – thus this kind of recycled paper is known as Mill broke, while pre-consumer waste is the left over paper in a mill that was discarded but not used by the consumers and the post-consumer waste are the papers recycled after consumer use, like old magazines, books, corrugated containers and newspapers.
All papers cannot be recycled – the paper suitable for recycling purpose is known as scrap paper and the final product after recycling is known as molded pulp. Recycling paper helps you to keep the environment green and keep the natural resources less exploited.
Below given are some more interesting and worth learning facts about paper recycling –
- Majority of the paper that goes wasted all across the globe is high grade paper.
- Recycling paper reduces pollution by 95% when used paper is manufactured into new sheets.
- 77% of office paper waste is recyclable; records stated that a normal office generates around one pound of paper every employee.
- To manufacture new paper from old papers, it takes around 30 to 50 % less energy than what it is required to make paper from trees.
- In landfills, the 40 % of the waste is paper. If paper is recycled and not dumped in landfills, the usage of landfills can also be extended.
- The products of newspaper recycling include game boards, egg cartons, gift boxes, new newspaper, insulation, animal bedding, and packaging material.
- Office paper is used as paper towels, toilet paper and tissue paper after recycling.
- Corrugated cardboard post recycling is made as cereal boxes and new cardboards.
- All papers cannot be recycled; the ones that can be are – Coloured and white paper, coloured and white envelops, fax and telex copy paper, manuals, booklets, post it notes, adding machine tape, greetings cards, carbonless forms, time cards, soft covered books with white pages, magazines, telephone directories, newspapers, time cards, flyers, and manila folders.
- The non acceptable recycling items include coffee cups, pizza boxes, paper towels, carbon paper, tissues, candy wrappers, brown and kraft envelopes.
- The Public Recycling Officials of Pennsylvania have made a survey and stated that for every ton of recycled paper, you can save 17 trees, 350 pounds of limestone, 275 pounds of sulphur, 60,000 gallons of water, 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space, 9,000 pounds of steam, and 225 kilowatt hours.
- In United States 4.5 million tons of office paper is discarded.
- Every year in the United States, every person uses paper that is equivalent to two pine trees.
- White paper recycling helps you to cut down 35% water pollution, 74% air pollution, and 75% processed energy.
Tips that will help to Execute Paper Recycling in Daily Life
- Buy only the specified quantity that is needed, do not buy any paper material in excess unnecessarily.
- Mark a place near the fax machine or copier for collecting materials that will go for recycling.
- Avoid using computer printouts. Convey your messages by using email.
- Glossy and special type of textured papers is difficult to recycle, thus avoid those.
