The Paper Recycling Process
Learn about the various steps that paper must got through to be recycled with this video, produced in collaboration with Recyclebank.
Transcription:
THE PAPER RECYCLING PROCESS
If every piece of paper was a love note, you’d work to get it just right.
The recycling process takes a lot of work to get just right too…
It includes many steps that weaken fibers, reducing yields each time:
Step
1) Recyclables are collected
2) Transported to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)
3) Separated. For example, into plastics, glass, metals and paper.
4) Further separated. For example, paper gets sorted into copy paper, newspaper, packaging and contaminated paper. Usable paper is then sent further through the recycling process
5) Paper is broken down into fibers
6) Cleaned
7) Screened
8) De-inked
9) Thickened
10) Brightened
11) Dried
12) Then usually combined with virgin wood fiber.
13) Pulp is then pressed to form paper
14) Dried again
15) And then prepped for final usage.
Paper goes through all these steps, just to remake the end product you use.
Because each round of recycling shortens fibers, paper can only be recycled between 5-7 times.
So remember to:
1) Purchase products from sustainably managed forests
2) Use paper responsibly
3) Recycle whenever possible
To learn more, please visit www.domtar.com/sustainability.