Recycling Paper - How It Helps Our Eco-System

Recycling paper is the process of taking wastecolored papero While and colored envelopeso
paper, or paper that would otherwise be thrownBooklets or manualso Fax or copy papero
out, and remaking it into new paper products.Greeting cardso Post-it noteso Soft covered
Paper that can be used to make recycled paper isbookso Manila folderso Magazineso Newspaperso
broken down into three categories- mill broke,Collapsed cardboard boxes
pre-consumer waste, and post-consumer waste.Why recycle?
Mill broke paper is paper that becomes scrap90% of paper is made from wood. Paper
during the manufacturing of paper and it isproduction uses about 43% of harvested wood.
recycled right in the paper mill. Pre-consumerRecycling newspaper saves about 1 ton of wood
paper waste is papers that were discardedand recycling print or copy paper saves about 2
before consumer use. Post-consumer papertons of wood.
waste is papers that were discarded by theEnergy consumption is also reduced by recycling.
consumer after use. Paper that is used inHowever, the exact energy savings is still being
recycling is called scrap paper.debated. The Energy Information Administration
What is the recycling process?claims that when paper is made with recycled
There are usually 8 steps in the process ofpaper, there is a 40% reduction in energy use,
recycling paper. The first is called pulping, which isbut the Bureau of International Recycling says
adding water to the paper and using machines tothat there is a 64% reduction. Regardless of
separate the fibers. The second step is screening,which estimate is correct, both numbers
where screens are used to remove contaminantsrepresent a significant energy savings.
that are larger than the fibers. Next is centrifugalIn the United States, the Environmental Protection
cleaning during which the materials that are denserAgency has found that recycling paper causes
than fiber are released. Flotation or deinking then35% less water pollution and 74% less air
causes ink to collect on the surface of the paper.pollution.
The fifth step is called kneading or dispersion.What are some of the resources saved per ton
Here machines help remove any remainingof paper recycled?o 17 treeso 350 pounds of
contaminant particles. Nest washing helps removelimestoneo 60,000 gallons of watero 9,000 pounds
any small particles by passing water through theof steamo 275 pounds of sulfuro 225 kilowatt
fibers. If the paper is supposed to be white, it ishourso 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space
now bleached. Finally, the recycled paper is cleanRecycling paper has substantial benefits on our
and it is now made into a new paper product.eco-system and it is so easy to do! Many
What types of paper can be recycled?communities have a recycling pickup day just as
Each recycling plant accepts different kinds ofthey have garbage pickup days. Simply contact
paper for recycling. Some types of paper formsyour local waste management center to find out
that are commonly accepted include:o White andhow to begin recycling in your community!