Paper/Cardboard
In 1998/99 Australians used almost 3.5 million tonnes of paper. Almost 1.8 million tonnes were collected for recycling (AMCOR).In 1999 almost 70% of newsprint was recycled into a variety of products (PNEB, 2000).
One tonne of recycled paper saves around 17 pulp trees. Making paper from recycled fibre uses half the amount of energy and water than from raw materials.
A large variety of paper products are made, which can be sub-divided into four main grades:
- Printing & Writing Paper
High quality paper for printers and photocopiers, writing paper and glossy magazines. Made from bleached, chemically produced pulp, often containing a proportion of recycled paper - 60% imported. Uncontaminated white paper attracts a higher price from recyclers, so it can be worthwhile separating it from coloured paper.
- Tissues
Single-use products such as facial tissues, toilet paper and nappies. Mainly produced from sulphite softwood pulp, using approximately 10% recycled paper - 17% imported.
- Newsprint
Produced from mechanical pulp and 40 - 50% recycled fibre - 40% imported. Newsprint can only be recycled 3 - 5 times, due to loss of fibre strength.
- Packaging
Paper shopping bags and cardboard are made from chemical and semi-chemical pulp and contain 70 -80% recycled fibre - 19% imported (EPA 1996, PPMFA, 2000). This category includes liquid paperboard (see separate category in this guide).
Try these hints at home:
- Avoid single-use products such as paper plates and cups
- Put a "No Junk Mail" sign on your letterbox.
- Take old books/ magazines to your local charity or Tip-shop
- Buy products made with recycled paper
Kerbside collections for paper/ cardboard are operated in most areas of southern Tasmania - check with your local Council. To recycle - separate cardboard from newspaper/ magazines, and tie each bundle with string.
For businesses, it is important to separate paper into white, newsprint, and cardboard as far as your disposal system permits. As with most recyclables, contamination with other materials is a problem - your recycled paper must be clean.
There are many ways to reduce, re-use and recycle paper/ cardboard in business - see the Office Waste and Packaging Waste sections of this website.