‍5 paper recycling facts that will surprise you! 

Recycling paper doesn’t sound like a complicated task, does it? I mean, you take your waste paper and throw it into the correct pile. 

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Well you may be surprised by some of these facts that will change your mind. 

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1. Paper is paper, right? 

‍Well, paper is in fact not just paper. 

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Sorting paper materials is no easy business. Some guidelines, such as the EN643, reference 95 separate paper groups that can be recycled together! Learning and understanding what and what not can be placed together to be categorised and sold takes a lot of experience.

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2. To shred, or not to shred. 

There's nothing more satisfying than putting a piece of paper through a shredder, especially if it's unwanted, for example, a long letter from an ex, or a bill you have been putting off (although don’t shred that, you probably need it).

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However, shredded paper can make it difficult for recyclers to place the material back into production. As paper factories intend to stretch out the life-span of paper and board, the fibers within the material continue to be reduced over time with each recycling cycle. Meaning, the shorter the fiber is at the beginning of its recycling journey, the less chance it has to be put back into production to make new products. Therefore, with shredded paper being so small, recyclers may not be able to use it. 

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So maybe, instead, fold that bitter letter or scrunch it up before you throw it away. 

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3. How many times can paper and board be recycled?

‍The many lives paper and board can take on give cats a run for their luck. 

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One standard cardboard box can be recycled up to 7 times! Same goes for other material types such as copy paper. 

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As mentioned previously, the recycling process slowly reduces the amount of fibers in the materials until they can no longer be put through production. Think of it like a bar of soap, after constant use, it slowly withers away (unless it gets set aside and eventually solidifies and sticks to the surface of whatever corner it has been forgotten in). 

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4. From waste to wow! 

New products made out of recycled paper are indeed not worse quality than products made out of virgin paper. 

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The luxury packaging around your favourite expensive brand’s products? Well that may have been someone's pizza box or coffee cup. Thanks to advanced recycling technology, the production process can transform old paper and board into brand-new materials.

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5. Does this shirt make me look weird? 

‍No, but you may think the way that shirt was made is weird!

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We’ve talked about luxury packaging, but did you know that recycled paper is also being used in fashion?

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While using pulp to create materials like yarn has been possible for centuries, the growing demand for eco-friendly production has led some fashion companies to embrace it in their clothing lines! 

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So, were you surprised by any of these facts? 

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Check out the rest of our website to see how WPT is contributing to the global paper recycling industry!

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