Over 72% of paper consumption in Europe is recycled, making it one of the most recycled of all materials. It’s obvious that the paper recycling process starts with you but what happens to the paper once you place it in your secure shredding console at your workplace?
As you know, we can collect the paper from your office consoles, which are emptied on a regular scheduled basis by our security vetted team where all confidential documents are either shredded on-site or off-site (in our secure depot). The entire process from collection to recycling is securely tracked via our computer system and a certificate of destruction is issued for every service, providing a complete audit trail for the client.
100% of the paper we shred is recycled, including cardboard as we are committed that none of the waste gets sent to landfill. The shredded paper is baled and transported directly to a paper mill for recycling. The paper is graded into different quantities where the white paper is pulped in tanks, washing off all inks so the fibres can be reused. The fibres are screened to remove any debris and electromagnets pick up any metals like paperclips and staples. The fibres are then cleaned and deinked several times in a flotation tank, making them whiter and whiter. Whitening agents are added before the pulp, now 99% water and 1% fibre, is pumped onto a paper machine.
The paper is then passed over a vibrating machine or through rollers to remove most of the water. The water is sent back to the beginning of the process and the remaining material is now half fibre and half water. The sheets are passed over heated rollers with a temperature of up to 130 degrees, which reduces the water content by 5%, making the paper whiter, smoother and more usable.
Finally, the paper is tested to make sure it reaches the correct standard and quality for strength, gloss and brightness. The rolls are divided into smaller reels or sheets and packed and stored ready to be sent to the printers. Sorted office paper follows a similar process to printers’ paper. At the end of the process, it’s blown to create hue reels of tissue. These are then put onto converters to produce toilet tissue and other tissue-related products.
This recycling process can dramatically reduce your environmental impact as recycling shredded paper helps to:
- Reduce future rainforest destruction
- Reduce energy consumption from the manufacturing of new materials
- Reduce the amount of waste going to landfill
- Reduce the emission of gasses like methane into the atmosphere
- Reduce future electricity and oil usage
Further information on our Bulk Recycling
Our bulk recycling service is the ideal way to clear office and warehouse space and securely dispose of unwanted cardboard, print and packaging. You may want a single ad-hoc collection or something more regular- no matter how much cardboard or print waste you generate, we’ll help you find the collection method that’s most convenient and cost efficient for you. Our bulk paper recycling can easily adapt to your organisation's activities and at your convenience.
