How Paper Gets Recycled

Millions of tons of paper are recycled every year in the UK alone. It’s a great way of saving trees and thereby protecting the environment.

But how exactly is paper recycled? How does it go from being a used newspaper to a new sheet of A4? Let’s take a look at the process in detail.

1) Containment

All paper that’s been put in recycling bins is taken to a large recycling container and stored in there. This is where a lot of paper is put, and it all accumulates into one pile.

2) Recycling Plant

The container is then taken to a recycling plant where the process of recycling begins. All of the accumulated paper is sorted into types and grades for a smoother recycling process.

3) Washed

All the paper is then washed with soapy water so that all the ink, plastics, staples and glue is removed. The washed paper is then placed into a large holder where it’s all mixed up into a gigantic paste-like substance called a “slurry”.

4) New Paper Products10574703 s

Adding different materials to the slurry, new paper products can be made such as cardboard, office printer paper or newsprint.

5) The Spread

The slurry is then spread out on a large surface and pressed flat with large rollers until it turns into large thin sheet.

6) Redistribution

The new paper is then left to dry, rolled up to be cut and then, once that’s all done, sent off to the shops to be used again.

Interested in how we dispose of paper, especially confidential documents? See our Condidential Document Services to find out more. Also, feel free to contact us if you have an inquiry.

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