Environmental concerns and consumer demand have increased the use of recycled products in recent years. In fact, a significant percentage of total paper production in the world is now based on secondary fiber. Technological advances have meant that consumers no longer have to settle for inferior quality and high prices when choosing to use these products.
The fibers for recycling come from different sources. For example, scrap and paper trimmings from the manufacture of paper is recycled internally inside paper mills. Post-consumer waste consisting of old corrugated containers, magazines, old newspapers, office paper and old telephone directories is collected, reduced to pulp and re-used for new products.
Using these recycled fibers rather than virgin pulp means that trees are saved, reducing the exploitation of old forests. Most of the energy used to turn wood into paper is used in the pulping. When recycled fibers are pulped less energy and water are required. Recycling of fibers also means that less waste requires disposal, thus reducing landfill volume.
The process of recycling fibers involves the breaking down of the used paper with chemicals and water. Chopping it up and heating it breaks it down further. It becomes a pulp and is strained through screens to remove any glue or plastic. It has to go through a process of cleaning, de-inking and bleaching before it can be made into new products.
The main objectives are to remove ink and any other contaminants while at the same time keeping the quality of the fibers intact. There are some problems associated with the recycling of fibers. The de-inking is one of these problems. Another is that recycled fibers have a higher drainage resistance making machines work slower. Tacky pliable materials like latex, adhesive and rubber called stickies are another problem. However, these problems are being addressed successfully. The use of enzymes, naturally occurring compounds, has showed great potential in solving these issues.
The many improvements in technology mean that the products produced are now of a high quality. They meet the same technical specifications as products made from primary fibers. Recycled products are also available at prices competitive with those of products made from virgin fibers. This is good news for those who want to use recycled products but could not afford to pay more for them.
The practice of using chlorine to bleach paper is decreasing. This is due to the fact that dioxin, a carcinogen, is produced as a byproduct. Bleaching procedures that produce less toxic emissions are being used by most mills. Chlorine-free bleaching is also possible and most recycled fibers are now bleached by using alternative agents.
Just about every paper company today produces some products with recycled content as the demand continues to rise. At present about 40 percent of the total paper production in the world is based on secondary fiber. Users of recycled products no longer have to compromise on quality. A wide variety of products are available with the required smoothness and brightness and are now available at competitive prices.
The fibers for recycling come from different sources. For example, scrap and paper trimmings from the manufacture of paper is recycled internally inside paper mills. Post-consumer waste consisting of old corrugated containers, magazines, old newspapers, office paper and old telephone directories is collected, reduced to pulp and re-used for new products.
Using these recycled fibers rather than virgin pulp means that trees are saved, reducing the exploitation of old forests. Most of the energy used to turn wood into paper is used in the pulping. When recycled fibers are pulped less energy and water are required. Recycling of fibers also means that less waste requires disposal, thus reducing landfill volume.
The process of recycling fibers involves the breaking down of the used paper with chemicals and water. Chopping it up and heating it breaks it down further. It becomes a pulp and is strained through screens to remove any glue or plastic. It has to go through a process of cleaning, de-inking and bleaching before it can be made into new products.
The main objectives are to remove ink and any other contaminants while at the same time keeping the quality of the fibers intact. There are some problems associated with the recycling of fibers. The de-inking is one of these problems. Another is that recycled fibers have a higher drainage resistance making machines work slower. Tacky pliable materials like latex, adhesive and rubber called stickies are another problem. However, these problems are being addressed successfully. The use of enzymes, naturally occurring compounds, has showed great potential in solving these issues.
The many improvements in technology mean that the products produced are now of a high quality. They meet the same technical specifications as products made from primary fibers. Recycled products are also available at prices competitive with those of products made from virgin fibers. This is good news for those who want to use recycled products but could not afford to pay more for them.
The practice of using chlorine to bleach paper is decreasing. This is due to the fact that dioxin, a carcinogen, is produced as a byproduct. Bleaching procedures that produce less toxic emissions are being used by most mills. Chlorine-free bleaching is also possible and most recycled fibers are now bleached by using alternative agents.
Just about every paper company today produces some products with recycled content as the demand continues to rise. At present about 40 percent of the total paper production in the world is based on secondary fiber. Users of recycled products no longer have to compromise on quality. A wide variety of products are available with the required smoothness and brightness and are now available at competitive prices.
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