Paper for Recycling: Understanding the Value of Scraps

When we think about paper for recycling, we don't always realize that different types of paper have different values. It is common in everyday office and industrial settings to deal with different types of paper, such as coated paper and offset paper. However, when it comes to recycling, these papers have very different values than during their useful life. Why?

The answer lies in the coating that certain papers have. Coated paper, for example, is widely used for its high-quality printing and smooth, glossy finish. But when it comes to recycling, the coating that gives this paper its superior appearance is also the reason it is less valued as a paper for recycling. This is because coatings, such as calcium carbonate and kaolin, make it difficult to recycle and result in lower fiber recovery.

The Recycling Process: The Difference Between Coated and Sulfite

A simple experiment can illustrate the difference between coated and sulfite papers in the recycling process. If you mix coated paper with water and blend it in a blender, the resulting pulp will be of low quality, with a large loss of fibers. In contrast, sulfite paper, which is simpler and uncoated, keeps its fibers more intact, resulting in a pulp of better quality for recycling.

This distinction is crucial because by properly separating papers by type, it is possible to increase the value of each type of paper for recycling. When papers are mixed, they are usually purchased at the value of the least valuable paper in the mix. Therefore, proper separation not only facilitates the recycling process, but also maximizes financial returns by encouraging more efficient and sustainable practices.

Classification of Paper Scraps for Recycling

To better understand the value of paper scraps for recycling, it’s important to understand how these materials are classified. Recyclers divide scraps into different categories, each with strict specifications regarding moisture content, impurities, and prohibitive materials. Let’s explore some of these categories:

• WHITE I: Unprinted and uncoated white paper scraps, sheets and remains of reels. Maximum moisture content: 10%. Maximum impurity content: 0%. Maximum content of prohibitive materials: 0%. Pre-consumption.
• WHITE II: Used continuous white paper forms, without carbon paper between sheets and without carbon coating. Maximum moisture content: 10%. Maximum impurity content: 2%. Maximum prohibitive material content: 0%. Post-consumer.
• WHITE III: Scraps, sheets and remains of unprinted newsprint and newspaper rolls. Maximum moisture content: 10%. Maximum impurity content: 0%. Maximum content of prohibitive materials: 0%. Pre-consumption.
• WHITE IV: Used white office papers, manuscripts, printed or typed, used notebooks without covers, books without covers and printed in black. Maximum moisture content: 10%. Maximum impurity content: 5%. Maximum content of prohibited materials: 0%. Post-consumer.
• WHITE V: White paper scraps, blankets and reel scraps with a minimum percentage of printing or coating. Maximum moisture content: 12%. Maximum impurity content: 25%. Maximum content of prohibitive materials: 0%. Pre-consumption.
• WHITE VI: Same as WHITE IV, may contain colored papers in the mass. Maximum moisture content: 10%. Maximum impurity content: 5%. Maximum content of prohibited materials: 0%. Post-consumer.
• KRAFT I: Natural kraft paper scraps resulting from the manufacture of multilayer bags, kraft paper bags rejected due to manufacturing defects or not used. Maximum moisture content: 10%. Maximum impurity content: 1%. Maximum content of prohibitive materials: 0%. Pre-consumption.
• KRAFT II: Used multilayer kraft paper bags, with different fibers and colors. No sorting or selection. Maximum moisture content: 15%. Maximum impurity content: 5%. Maximum content of prohibited materials: 0%. Post-consumer.
• KRAFT III: Used multilayer bags, made of natural kraft paper, mainly for cement, mixed, without beating, sorting or selection. Maximum moisture content: 15%. Maximum impurity content: 17%. Maximum content of prohibitive materials: 3%. Post-consumer.
• MECHANICAL PULP CARDS (PARANAS): Scraps of used cardboard artifacts produced entirely from mechanical pulp. Maximum moisture content: 12%. Maximum impurity content: 0%. Maximum content of prohibitive materials: 0%. Pre-consumption.
• NEWSPAPERS I: Used newspapers in excellent condition. Maximum moisture content: 12%. Maximum impurity content: 1%. Maximum content of prohibitive materials: 0%. Post-consumer.
• NEWSPAPERS II: Clean newspapers and editorial backlogs. Maximum moisture content: 12%. Maximum impurity content: 1%. Maximum content of prohibitive materials: 0%. Pre-consumption.
• CARDBOARD I: Whole paperboard scraps, waste material and unused material, with or without coating. Without printing of any kind. Coming from cards and cardboards manufactured entirely with cellulose. Maximum moisture content: 10%. Maximum impurity content: 0%. Maximum content of prohibitive materials: 0%. Pre-consumption.
• CARDBOARD II: Cardboard scraps, waste material and unused material, with or without coating. With printing or in various colors. Maximum moisture content: 12%. Maximum impurity content: 3%. Maximum content of prohibitive materials: 0%. Pre-consumption.
• CARDBOARD III: Cardboard scraps, waste material and unused material, laminated, with or without printing. Maximum moisture content: 12%. Maximum impurity content: 3%. Maximum content of prohibitive materials: 7%. Pre-consumption.
• CARDBOARD IV: Used cardboard packaging, laminated or not. Maximum moisture content: 15%. Maximum impurity content: 3%. Maximum content of prohibited materials: 7%. Post-consumer.
• WAVY I: Scrap and waste resulting from the manufacture of corrugated cardboard boxes and sheets of all types. Maximum moisture content: 15%. Maximum impurity content: 3%. Maximum content of prohibitive materials: 0%. Pre-consumption.
• WAVY II: Used corrugated cardboard boxes and sheets, manufactured with high and medium resistance layers. Maximum moisture content: 15%. Maximum impurity content: 5%. Maximum content of prohibitive materials: 0%. Post-consumer.
• WAVY III: Used corrugated cardboard boxes and sheets, manufactured with low-resistance layers, which may contain up to 20% of paper types other than corrugated cardboard. Maximum moisture content: 20%. Maximum impurity content: 5%. Maximum content of prohibitive materials: 3%. Post-consumer.
• MAGAZINES I: Old magazines, printed on coated or uncoated paper. Maximum moisture content: 12%. Maximum impurity content: 2%. Maximum content of prohibitive materials: 1%. Post-consumer.
• MAGAZINES II: Stranded magazines or magazines with printing defects, printed on coated or uncoated paper. Maximum moisture content: 12%. Maximum impurity content: 2%. Maximum content of prohibitive materials: 1%. Pre-consumption.
• MIXED I: Mixed used paper, mostly from offices and printing companies; colored scraps; various types of paper and cardboard waste, mixed. Maximum moisture content: 12%. Maximum impurity content: 5%. Maximum content of prohibited materials: 1%. Post-consumer.
• MIXED II: Mixed waste paper from offices, commercial stores and residential homes. Maximum moisture content: 15%. Maximum impurity content: 10%. Maximum prohibitive material content: 3%. Post-consumer.
• MIXED III: Mixed waste paper, from all origins. Maximum moisture content: 20%. Maximum impurity content: 15%. Maximum content of prohibitive materials: 5%. Post-consumer.
• TYPOGRAPHY: Colored scraps and clippings from printing and typography shops. Maximum moisture content: 10%. Maximum impurity content: 1%. Maximum content of prohibited materials: 0%. Pre-consumption.

Impurities and Prohibitive Materials: Impact on the Quality of Paper for Recycling

Impurities and prohibitive materials are critical factors in determining the quality and value of paper for recycling. Impurities can include paper that is unsuitable for certain purposes, as well as materials such as metal, glass, plastic, and rope. These items can contaminate recycled paper, making it less valuable.

Prohibitive materials are those that, in excessive quantities, make the paper batch unusable for certain types of production. Examples include tracing paper, bituminous cardboard, carbon paper, and laminated or plastic-coated papers. The presence of these materials can make the use of recycled paper unfeasible in certain applications, reducing its market value.

Recycling Logistics: From Collection to Separation

The recycling process begins with the collection of paper for recycling, which can be done through partnerships with waste picker cooperatives or directly by companies and industries. After collection, the paper is separated according to its categories to ensure that it is recycled efficiently and that its value is maximized.

Papers classified as pre-consumer, such as industrial scraps, generally have fewer impurities and are more valuable. Post-consumer papers, such as used newspapers and magazines, may contain more impurities and prohibitive materials, which requires a more rigorous sorting process.

The Importance of Education and Awareness for Recycling

Raising awareness about proper paper separation for recycling is essential to maximize process efficiency and financial returns. Businesses and consumers need to understand that different types of paper have different values and that proper separation can make a big difference.

Educational initiatives, recycling campaigns and training programs can help spread these practices. When more people are aware of the importance of separating waste correctly, the positive environmental impact will be even greater, contributing to a more sustainable environment.

Valuing Paper

The value of paper for recycling lies not only in the material itself, but in how it is treated and separated. By understanding the differences between paper types and how they are recycled, we can improve our recycling practices and contribute to preserving the environment.

Paper recycling is an essential practice for sustainability, and by separating paper correctly, we can ensure that it is recycled efficiently, preserving natural resources and reducing the amount of waste in landfills. By valuing paper for recycling, we are investing in a greener, more sustainable future for everyone.

Check out other interesting facts about recycling clicking here.
Learn how to make art by recycling, Click here.