Why not all paper can be recycled

"Recycle your paper! No, not that type!"

- a sentence you may or may not have heard.

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But why is this?

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Some paper types have certain qualities or are tainted with materials that are unable to break down during the pulping process, or are at risk of contaminating other materials which are used to make new products. For example, in the EN643 standard list of paper and cardboard grades, you will see a section stating the max amount of non-paper components that are allowed to be mixed within the material that is sold or purchased to be put back into production. 

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For instance, paper grades such as corrugated paper and board packaging are at maximum allowed to be made up of 3% of unwanted material.   

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For more examples, check out our EN643 document.

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So, what non-paper components are not allowed to be mixed? 

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Wow, so glad you asked! 

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Components that are harmful for our safety, health, and the environment are prohibited from being mixed into paper and board that will be used to make new products. These unwanted materials include, plastics, medical waste, hazardous waste, toxic powders, bitumen, contaminated products of bodily waste, organic waste (including food waste or products tainted with food waste), and other elements such as non de-inkable ink.

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During the recycling process, different types of paper are grouped together to be made back into pulp, using machines such as pulpers to break down paper fibers, or machines to strip the material of processed elements such as ink. 

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As an example, although ink is widely used in paper products, not all ink is able to be stripped from paper materials, for example, UV inks are water resistant. This makes this type of ink unsuitable for the de-inking process, meaning, these cannot be mixed with materials that will be used to make new products. 

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What type of paper products are then classified as non-recyclable?

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You really are filled with questions today, well let us help you!

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Some of these non-recyclable products include, toilet paper, products that are coated with plastic e.g. some juice and milk cartons, and personal hygiene products such as tissue paper. 

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While some of these products may not be put back into production, many are made from recycled materials, contributing to the global circular economy and the preservation of our natural ecosystems, supporting the health of our planet.

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