What is waste paper?

In today’s world, the issue of waste management is becoming increasingly important. A significant proportion of waste can be reused, and recycled materials are increasingly becoming a practical and cost-effective alternative to natural resources. This is precisely why recycling plays a vital role in sustainable development, combining care for the environment with the efficient use of materials and the implementation of modern recycling technologies.

Waste paper refers to paper and cardboard products that have reached the end of their life cycle and are suitable for recycling. According to statistics, around 30% of paper waste is generated in households, whilst over 70% comes from industrial and commercial enterprises.

Using paper waste as a secondary raw material is a promising and environmentally responsible solution to the problem of waste disposal. The waste paper recycling process involves its collection, reception and subsequent processing at specialised facilities in compliance with all technical standards.

Paper recycling opens up opportunities for the production of new types of products and ensures significant savings in timber — one of the most valuable natural resources. The main value of waste paper lies in its cellulose fibres, which, after cleaning and special processing, are transformed into high-quality secondary raw materials and returned to the production cycle.

Today, the collection of waste paper for further recycling is a promising area of development for many companies in the secondary raw materials market.

Types and categories of waste paper

The sorting of paper waste into specific categories as a secondary raw material is used to standardise the raw material in line with its intended end uses. From a technical perspective, the type of finished product following processing depends directly on the properties, quality and type of the secondary raw material. Furthermore, the market value of the waste paper is determined by its type.

Waste paper can be handed in according to the following classification:
● Group ‘A’ high-quality paper waste — grades MS-1A to MS-4A include high-quality white writing and printing paper, lined paper and paper waste trimmings made from unbleached cellulose, as well as non-waterproof paper bags;
● Group ‘B’ – medium-quality paper and cardboard waste – grades MS-5B, MS-6B, MS-7B/1-3 covers waste corrugated cardboard, printed cardboard, books, exercise books, notepads, magazines, leaflets, brochures, catalogues, notepads and other types of printed and paper-based products made from white paper, without bindings, covers or spines;
● Group ‘B’ – the low-quality waste paper category – grades MS-8B to MS-12B includes paper for newspaper production, moulded paper products, coated or impregnated cardboard, black or brown paper products, and paper with a carbon-copy layer. The cost of Category B waste paper is the lowest, and the aim of recycling is to produce new products or building materials.
However, there are certain categories of waste paper that cannot be recycled:
● hygiene and sanitary paper products – low-quality paper items such as napkins and toilet paper;
● egg cartons;
● receipts;
● disposable paper tableware;
● paper with traces of ink and grease;
● paper waste collected from landfill sites;
● foil-coated paper – sweet wrappers and packaging;
● tracing paper, carbon paper, photographs.

There is a category of paper products that can only be recycled using specialised equipment. These types of paper include: glossy magazines, laminated cardboard, pre-coated writing paper, and paper with plastic inserts or reinforcement.

How recycling works

Once the waste paper has been received, the paper waste recycling process involves the following stages:
● removal of the adhesive that binds the cellulose fibres together;
● cleaning to remove contaminants;
● converting the waste into a clean, homogeneous mass, which is then suitable for the production of paper, cardboard or other products.

The technology for recycling paper waste depends on two factors:
● the group and type of waste paper, as a secondary raw material;
● the subsequent use of the resulting pulp.

It is interesting to note that paper waste (waste paper) can be recycled 3–7 times. The number of times waste paper can be recycled depends largely on the characteristics and technical capabilities of the production equipment, as well as the category and quality of the secondary raw material.

The benefits of recycling waste paper

A key reason for recycling waste paper is the economic viability and cost-effectiveness of the process. Producing paper directly from wood is an energy-intensive process that requires expensive equipment and auxiliary materials. Furthermore, the manufacture of paper products from virgin raw materials is classified as an environmentally harmful industry due to the use of acid in the pulp production process.

Statistics confirm that producing paper directly from wood requires significantly more energy, financial resources and fuel than obtaining the same volume through recycling. Furthermore, the recycling of waste paper significantly reduces the demand for virgin wood pulp. Consequently, emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere are reduced, and non-renewable resources—such as oil, coal, gas and others—are conserved.

Many large companies with high volumes of paper products are installing mini paper presses in their production facilities. This approach helps to reduce the costs of waste removal and disposal. Waste paper can be handed over by entering into contracts with recycling companies, which provides an opportunity to gain additional benefits.

What is produced from waste paper

Waste paper offers a wide range of recycling and reuse options. It is most commonly used as a secondary raw material for paper, packaging products and building materials (roofing and insulation). Waste paper also serves as a substitute for many types of primary raw materials, such as wood, paper and cellulose. In modern conditions, waste paper is widely used in the production of thermal insulation materials and fibreboard.

Products made from recycled waste paper have found widespread application in the construction industry. Most often, waste paper serves as a raw material base or is a component of such construction products as building wool, compressed paper fibre boards and roofing materials.

Waste paper is invariably used in the production of: writing paper and printed materials, toilet paper, disposable flower pots, paper napkins, towels, egg cartons, nappies, disposable pots for seedlings and flowers, cardboard and corrugated cardboard.

How and where can you recycle paper?

Plastiker accepts the following types of paper waste for further recycling. This list typically includes:
● corrugated cardboard (boxes from household appliances, shipping boxes for various goods, pizza boxes);
● cardboard (leaflets, packaging from tea, sweets, tablets, cosmetics), used office paper and production rejects;
● books (without covers), magazines, leaflets, used exercise books, paper bags;
● various types of paper products with a moisture content not exceeding 15%.

To hand in secondary raw materials, you need to bear in mind some important preparation points:
● remove metal elements from waste paper – springs, paper clips, etc. (staples can be left in);
● remove plastic and textile items – plastic handles from boxes, cling film, files, springs (adhesive tape may be left in place), leather parts, book covers. Check for the absence of lamination and other materials;
● Dry the waste if the moisture content exceeds the norm;
● Sort the paper waste into main types and grades;
● It is recommended to tie cardboard into tight bundles or pack it into boxes;
● Pack the paper waste into stacks and compress it.

The value of waste paper as a secondary raw material depends directly on many factors – the quantity of waste (weight, volume), the quality characteristics of the waste paper, its category, condition and level of contamination, as well as transport and delivery conditions. Accordingly, the price varies depending on the influence of the factors listed above.
The value of waste paper as a secondary raw material depends directly on a number of factors – the quantity of waste (weight, volume), the quality characteristics of the waste paper, its category, condition and level of contamination, as well as transport and delivery conditions. Consequently, the price varies depending on the influence of the factors listed above.

The money you can get for waste paper is not insignificant. The average market price for waste paper collection at Ukrainian enterprises ranges from 3 UAH to 7 UAH per kg. For large batches of paper waste, collection is most often carried out using the enterprises’ own transport.

Delivery by the company’s transport for orders of 200 kg or more