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Problems in the Paper Recycling Process

Paper is one of the easiest materials to recycle. The website RecycleNow reports that it only takes an average of seven days for recycled paper to be processed into new newsprint. The paper recycling process still has a few problems, but these can be better avoided if consumers know what can be recycled and how to sort recyclable paper items.

  1. Contamination

    • Paper that is put into recycling bins can be contaminated by other materials that are either non-recyclable or have to be recycled by a different method, such as glass. Tiny glass shards can damage paper recycling equipment if they are not removed or caught. If a piece of recyclable paper has too much glass, it cannot be recycled at all. Food stains, such as grease and oil, can also contaminate paper.

    Paper Material Mistaken as Recyclable

    • Milk and juice cartons must be separated from normal paper products.

      Some materials that are made from paper are mistaken as recyclable when they actually are not. This includes pizza boxes, paper boards that microwavable foods come on and liquid containers, such as milk and juice cartons. RecycleNow reports that even though these last items are composed of 75 percent paper, they still contain a mixture of 20 percent polyethylene (plastic) and 5 percent aluminum foil. These can still be recycled in some areas but not with normal paper products.

    Paper Can Only Be Recycled So Many Times

    • Paper fibers can only be recycled five to seven times, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Each time paper is put through the recycling process, the fibers get shorter, which makes it harder for them to bond together to form new paper. The fibers that are too short are washed out and lost through the pulp process. This issue means that paper mills always need more quality paper to recycle.

    Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

    • Sticky notes have an adhesive on the back that can be hard on recyling equipment.

      Pressure-sensitive adhesives are the glues used on the back of sticky notes and no-lick envelopes. They do not require water to bond, which makes them a problem during the pulp and filtering processes of paper recycling. When heated, PSAs break down into smaller, deformed fragments that stick to paper pulp and recycling equipment. These are hard to remove, result in lower quality recycled paper products, and cost paper mills more money to complete the recycling process. Some paper mills are equipped to deal with PSAs.

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