Many organizations want to recycle properly; they just don’t know where to begin. So, here’s a guide to paper recycling. Of course, always double-check with your waste management facility, and keep in mind that living a zero-waste lifestyle means recycling less, not more.
The most important aspect of recycling paper is that the recycling bin should be free of contamination.
What are the Benefits of Paper Recycling?
There are significant environmental factors that make paper recycling an important thing to do. These include:
Helping the environment:
It’s all too easy to believe that your contribution to paper recycling is insignificant and has no effect on the environment. But if everyone thought that way, nothing would ever get done. As a country, we’re taking significant steps to keep high recycling rates, which will help the environment.
It is essential that we, as a nation, recycle all of the paper we discard rather than dumping it in landfills. Paper recycling also helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which can contribute to global warming.
Reducing waste:
The important benefit of paper recycling would be that it decreases the amount of waste that ends up in landfill, allowing for the disposal of garbage that cannot be recycled.
Reducing water and energy consumption:
As previously mentioned, recycling your old paper reduces water and energy consumption.
What Types of Paper Can You Recycle?
Cardboard boxes:
Cartons are completely recyclable. Prior to actually recycling these boxes, they should be reused. We should try to keep our materials in use for as long as possible before recycling.
We should start by reducing the number of cardboard-boxes consumed. The cardboard boxes should then be reused as much as possible. We can recycle cardboard boxes only when they can no longer be used.
Brown paper:
Brown paper is recyclable but before recycling it, sees if it can be taken and reused by someone else. You can save it for labeling, or even wrapping presents!
Photos & Receipts:
Receipts are not recyclable or compostable as they are coated with BPA. Photos are also not recyclable
Glossy magazines:
Magazines are recyclable! See if you can reuse this material before recycling it. If you have newer magazines, they can be donated to libraries, waiting rooms, family shelters, nursing homes, etc.
Milk cartons:
Milk cartons and other food cartons, etc. are mixed materials. Many have plastic linings like paper cups. Some are tetra packs that have aluminum sandwiched between the papers.
It varies considerably whether or not the waste management plant accepts this type of material.
All office paper, Newspaper, Colored paper & White paper:
All these types of paper are 100% recyclable.
How is Paper Recycled?
There are various different regional collection systems for collecting paper for recycling, including office-based collection, school-based programs, drop-off centers, and curbside programs.
After collection, the paper is transferred to a recycling center. Then, any contaminants such as metals, plastics, and glass are removed. Once this is done, the paper fiber is then shredded and mixed with water to create a pulp. This is then cleaned, washed, and refined, and turned into slush.
Further down the process, extracting any remaining water and pressed, it is utilized for making byproducts.
How You Can Find a Place to Recycle Your Paper?
When you’re looking for somewhere to recycle your old paper you can contact AWE for details. AWE provides you with a 100% recycling facility with complete security and confidentiality of your documents under the supervision of a trained technical team and site supervisors.
Our human needs for paper are essential; however, we all need to play our part in keeping ourselves focused on being friendly to the earth, and its resources. This is why it’s so incredibly important to do all you can.