Recycling Paper

In order to be recycled paper must first be separated into three categories:

1. OCC- old corrugated cardboard
2. ONP- old newspaper
3. MOW- mixed office waste

Once paper has been separated into the above categories it is ready to undergo the process which will make it ready to be made into new paper products.

1. Pulping – in this process water is added to the paper to break it down into is fibrous form. Physical agitation may also be needed depending on the strength of the original paper source.
2. Screening – in the process large paper fibers and alien contaminants are removed from the paper pulp with the use of various screens.
3. Centrifugal cleaning – in this process the paper fibers are spun at a high speed. This cause the heavier fibers to more to the outer edges where they are removed.
4. Floatation or Deinking– in this process a chemical is added along with air this causes the ink on the paper to be removed and rise to the top of the paper pulp. Once the ink is in the foam at the top of the paper pulp it can be removed.
5. Bleaching – in this optional process the paper pulp is bleached using various chemicals.
6. Mixing – in this process the pulp may be mixed with new raw materials to make new paper. This process is optional and at times the recycled paper is not mixed at all. The mixing of recycled paper pulp with new pulp allows the paper to be stronger. Paper made completely from recycled paper is much weaker than new material paper.
7. Removal of sludge – sludge is the paper pulp which is unusable. Sludge includes ink plastics, filler, short fibers, and other contaminants. Sludge can be buried in a landfill, burned to create new energy, or used as a fertilizer.

Effects on the Enviroment

According to the EIA (Energy Information Administration) a paper mill uses 40% less energy to make paper from recycled paper than it does to make paper from fresh lumber.