Everything you need to know about recycled Kraft Paper

Kraft paper: a staple in the paper industry, used to create everything from sturdy cement bags and durable product packaging to eco-friendly grocery bags, stylish envelopes, and even sturdy boxes!

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But how is this versatile material made and what exactly is it? 

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Well let us dive into it! 

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What is recycled kraft paper? 

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There is no better material to be used on both an industrial and consumer level when it comes to packaging. Kraft paper is known for its sturdy, highly resistant, and biodegradable qualities. Brown with an earthy texture, kraft paper gives a more natural touch with its eco-friendly properties such as the multitude of recovered materials that is used in its production. 

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Though strong, kraft is incredibly flexible, making it ideal for crafting (or I guess you could say krafting :D), and complex packaging solutions. Let’s put it like this, if kraft paper was an animal it would be a crab, hard on the outside, and soft on the inside (guess you could say it’s like a krab ;D ba-dum-tss). 

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What materials are used to make kraft paper? 

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Recycled products such as corrugated cardboard, paper waste from manufacturing facilities, wrapping paper and packaging, as well as some virgin wood to give the material a longer life-span are the key ingredients to this valuable paper grade.

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These recovered materials are then processed with water into pulp, which is a brown, sludgey, thick, forbidden oatmeal like mix that is then used to create the products we mentioned earlier, giving the material that earthy, rough texture. 

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How does kraft paper compare to other paper types?

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In comparison to other paper types such as copy paper (the more common smooth, white, thin material), kraft is thicker and sturdier, as stated before. However, what makes kraft more unique is its production. The chemicals used to process and treat kraft are often also recycled using machines such as a recovery boiler, which disposes or prepares the chemicals for reuse, making it far more sustainable than products that need to have harsher treatments such as bleach. 

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Overall, kraft paper is a fundamental part of the paper industry with its durable and flexible qualities. Including its valuable ability to be made out of a wide variety of recovered material, making it the poster child for eco-friendly packaging and a staple in our global circular economy.   

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Want to learn more about the recycling paper industry? Check out our other blogs!