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.
There are different sources of these recycled fibers. For example, wastage from the manufacture of paper is recycled within the paper mills. There has been a major move in recent years by municipal and national authorities to put in place policies to encourage post-consumer waste recovery. This consists of anything from old newspapers and magazines to old corrugated containers.
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.
When fibers are recycled they have to be broken down by using chemicals and water. Chopping them up and applying heat reduces them to a pulp. Plastic and glue are removed from the pulp by straining it through screens. The pulp must cleaned, ink removed and bleached before it is ready to be used again for making new products.
The de-inking is one of the aspects of this process that has presented problems. The ink and other contaminants have to be removed completely in such a way as to preserve the integrity and strength of fibers. Another problem encountered is that recycled fibers are more resistant to drainage. Less drainage means slower machine speeds. Hornification or inability to retain the original swollen water state was another issue that needed to be addressed. Then there was the problem of stickies, the tacky pliable organic materials such as adhesives and latex. Enzymes are now being utilized very successfully to overcome many of these problems.
The quality of products produced from recycled fibers has improved dramatically over the past few years. They are now able to compete with products made from primary fibers with regard to brightness, opacity and smoothness. The price too has become competitive. Just about every paper company now produces products with recycled content and the wide range and quality satisfies the demands of even the most discerning consumers.
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.
Manufacturers are actively seeking to increase the waste paper content of their products, not only for cost reasons, but also for environmental reasons. Consumer demand for products made with secondary fiber is increasing too as progress is made regarding their quality and variety. This trend is likely to continue in the years to come.
There are different sources of these recycled fibers. For example, wastage from the manufacture of paper is recycled within the paper mills. There has been a major move in recent years by municipal and national authorities to put in place policies to encourage post-consumer waste recovery. This consists of anything from old newspapers and magazines to old corrugated containers.
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.
When fibers are recycled they have to be broken down by using chemicals and water. Chopping them up and applying heat reduces them to a pulp. Plastic and glue are removed from the pulp by straining it through screens. The pulp must cleaned, ink removed and bleached before it is ready to be used again for making new products.
The de-inking is one of the aspects of this process that has presented problems. The ink and other contaminants have to be removed completely in such a way as to preserve the integrity and strength of fibers. Another problem encountered is that recycled fibers are more resistant to drainage. Less drainage means slower machine speeds. Hornification or inability to retain the original swollen water state was another issue that needed to be addressed. Then there was the problem of stickies, the tacky pliable organic materials such as adhesives and latex. Enzymes are now being utilized very successfully to overcome many of these problems.
The quality of products produced from recycled fibers has improved dramatically over the past few years. They are now able to compete with products made from primary fibers with regard to brightness, opacity and smoothness. The price too has become competitive. Just about every paper company now produces products with recycled content and the wide range and quality satisfies the demands of even the most discerning consumers.
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.
Manufacturers are actively seeking to increase the waste paper content of their products, not only for cost reasons, but also for environmental reasons. Consumer demand for products made with secondary fiber is increasing too as progress is made regarding their quality and variety. This trend is likely to continue in the years to come.
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