Industrial paper recycling plays a crucial role in preserving the environment and saving natural resources. By preventing paper from accumulating in landfills and reducing energy and water consumption, this process not only contributes to sustainability but also creates economic opportunities. This article explores the detailed process of industrial paper recycling, highlighting its importance and benefits to the environment.
The Importance of Selective Collection
Selective collection is the first fundamental step in industrial paper recycling. Maintaining the integrity of paper is essential to facilitate its recycling, and selective collection plays a crucial role in preserving the quality of the material. This process prevents contamination of the paper, which in turn increases its value and reduces recycling costs. The effectiveness of selective collection is particularly evident in publishing and printing companies, where the discarded paper is generally of high quality due to its low contamination.
Selective collection in hypermarkets, shopping malls and commercial establishments also contributes significantly to industrial paper recycling. These places dispose of large quantities of cardboard, which is a valuable material for recycling. However, paper discarded by society in general faces challenges due to increased contamination. To improve the quality of recycled paper, it is necessary to invest in education and awareness about the correct separation of paper.
Sorting and Classification: Preparing Paper for Industrial Recycling
After selective collection, the paper undergoes a rigorous sorting process. During this stage, hazardous materials such as metals and glass are removed, which could damage the equipment or compromise the recycling process. Items such as staples, paper clips and elastic bands are then removed, along with unsuitable papers such as sulfurized, waxed or paraffined papers.
Paper is classified based on its quality, origin and the presence of tolerated materials. Papers impregnated with inks and varnishes, such as magazine covers and business cards, have a lower value compared to office papers. This step is crucial for the formation of homogeneous, high-quality batches that will be used in subsequent phases of the industrial paper recycling process.
Turning the Old into New
Industrial paper recycling involves several steps that transform used paper into a new product. The process begins with disintegration or maceration, where old paper is mixed with water to weaken the bonds between the fibers. Next comes screening and washing, which removes contaminants through screening. Dispersion uses high temperatures to dissolve contaminants that are then dispersed.
A critical step in industrial paper recycling is deinking, which removes ink particles that have adhered to the fibers. For products that require high quality, such as printing paper, additional bleaching using bleaches may be necessary. After these steps, the recycled paper pulp is ready for the refining process, where additives such as aluminum sulfate and cassava starch can be added to improve the quality of the recycled paper.
Products Derived from Industrial Paper Recycling
Recycled paper can be turned into a variety of products, each with different fiber quality requirements. One of the most common uses for recycled paper is in the manufacture of toilet paper, a product that requires lower quality fibers. In addition, recycled paper is used to produce napkins, towels, wrapping paper, bags, egg and fruit packaging, cardboard, cardboard boxes and even offset printing paper.
Recycled offset printing paper has been gaining popularity, although it still faces resistance due to its cost being, in some cases, higher than that of virgin paper. However, the price difference between recycled and virgin paper has been decreasing in recent years, making recycled paper an increasingly viable and sustainable option for a variety of applications.
Environmental and Economic Advantages
Industrial paper recycling offers a number of advantages for both the environment and the economy. In environmental terms, paper recycling contributes to the preservation of trees and the reduction of water and energy consumption. One ton of paper scraps can replace 2 to 4 cubic meters of wood, which prevents the felling of 15 to 30 trees. In addition, the production of one ton of recycled paper consumes only 2,000 liters of water, compared to the 100,000 liters required in the traditional paper manufacturing process.
Paper recycling also saves energy, with an average savings of 50% compared to virgin paper production. In some cases, these savings can be as high as 80%, especially when comparing plain recycled papers with virgin papers made from refiner pulp. Furthermore, industrial paper recycling has the potential to create more jobs than virgin paper production, especially in areas such as collection, sorting and grading.
Challenges and Opportunities in Industrial Paper Recycling
While industrial paper recycling offers numerous advantages, it also faces challenges. One of the main challenges is the need for greater awareness and education about the importance of recycling and proper paper separation. Contamination of discarded paper can compromise the quality of the recycled product and increase process costs.
Furthermore, small recycling industries often compete with large industries, which may be subsidized, which limits their ability to invest in environmental control and more efficient technologies. However, these industries have the potential to grow and become more competitive as demand for recycled products increases and environmental awareness expands.
The Future of Industrial Paper Recycling
Industrial paper recycling is an essential practice for environmental sustainability and resource conservation. By transforming used paper into new products, the recycling process reduces environmental impact, saves energy and water, and preserves natural resources. While there are challenges to be overcome, the opportunities offered by industrial paper recycling are vast and promising. With increasing awareness and investment in sustainable technologies and practices, paper recycling will continue to play a crucial role in protecting the environment and promoting a circular economy.
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In the explanation above we have: “Dispersion: temperatures of 50ºC to 125ºC are used to dissolve the contaminants, which are then dispersed;” considering the current discussion of rotten meat and its packaging; I ask: what guarantee do we have that paper and cardboard packaging are free of bacteria and other microorganisms that are harmful to health? From biology we know that even at 121ºC of temperature and high pressure (high key) only 99% of the bacteria are annihilated.
Udo, the purpose of the high temperature here is certainly not to release paper for food :-/ so there would be no such guarantee. Cardboard in Brazil is practically all recycled, but it does not have (should not have) direct contact with food. In the case of meat, the carelessness and absurdity of the situation show that the type of care taken in the production of paper is the least important factor. I can only imagine the handling of the paper that was used…
Ricardo,
To come into contact with food, the packaging must be free of phenols. This restriction eliminates the use of conventional recycled papers. The only exception would be for papers produced with pre-use recycling, that is, recycling declassified papers before they are converted.
Normally the cardboard box, used in refrigerators, is made with virgin paper on the inner cover.
OK?
Rude as hell, huh Hélio.
Cardboard, whether recycled or not, should not touch food, as food, for example meat, should be in some other package, for example plastic, because if the meat touched paper or cardboard it would become damp and could tear.
Good afternoon,
I would like to know if I can recycle the paper towels that we dry our hands with after sanitizing them. Is there a way to reuse them or should I just throw them away?
Grateful
Hello Sara, excellent question. It is important to know that there will always be ways to reuse most waste, but unfortunately this does not mean that it will be done, because the economic unfeasibility of the process – the so-called cost-benefit – practically eliminates the chances of objects with low recyclability… being recycled. That is why, depending on the material, it would be good to avoid them.
But the good news is that, in most cases, paper towels already come from recycling. In other words, they are products that extend the life cycle of paper thanks to recycling.
Cardboard, paper towels and egg cartons, to name a few examples, are materials that use recycled paper for their production.
Finally, see an example of how it is possible to recover paper, even if it is in the sewer: http://setorreciclagem.com.br/reciclagem-de-papel/reciclando-agua-fazemos-papel/