This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and deliver personalised ads. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
How Is Paper Recycled?
How Is Paper Recycled?
Paper recycling is a process which, when carried out correctly, can hugely benefit the environment, reducing the need for high levels of paper production as recycled material is used instead. Recycled paper produces a massive 73% less air pollution than paper made from raw materials; a figure which demonstrates just how harmful this manufacturing process is. Indeed with the UK’s monumental consumption of paper at an all-time high of 12.5 million tonnes per year, each ton of which requires 24 trees to make, the act of recycling is more important than ever.
Here, we explain a little more about how the process works and the stages that occur during the paper recycling procedure.
Collection
Firstly, paper is collected from either your recycling collection or by the local council. The different types of paper will be graded, whereby it will be separated into different qualities.
Pulping
Once the paper has reached the paper mill, it is pulped into a tank. The tank, containing chemicals including hydrogen peroxide and caustic soda, as well as soap and water, will break down and separate the fibres of the paper. The remaining fibres will be screened in order to remove debris including paper clips, tape, plastic and staples that may have been placed into recycling with the paper.
Floatation tank
The fibres are placed into the floatation tank, and are cleaned and de-inked a number of times. Following this procedure, the paper fibres will get continually whiter, at which point whitening agents will be added to improve the whiteness further still. Next, the pulp which, at this stage is 99% water and 1% fibre, is pumped over onto a paper machine.
Drying
After pulping, the pulp will be passed through rollers or over a vibrating machine in order to remove the water from it. At this stage, the pulp is made up of 50% water, 50% fibre.
Next, the sheets will be passed through a drying section on heated rollers. Temperatures reach as high as 130 degrees, something which alters the pulp’s formation to 45% water, 55% fibre. At this stage, the paper is then dried before being wound into large rolls.
Testing
In this penultimate stage, the paper will be tested to ensure it reaches the standard required by the manufacturers. The quality should be high, allowing for strength, brightness and a good gloss finish.
Packing
Finally, once the recycling process has been completed, the giant rolls – which at this stage can weigh up to 30 tonnes – can be separated into smaller reels or sheets, before being packed and, eventually, despatched to printers.
Here at Brown Recycling, we are proud to provide an expert cardboard and paper recycling service, with our recycling plant and zero-to-landfill targets meaning that we recycle 100% of the paper that we collect. For more information on our paper recycling service, or for any other enquiry, simply get in touch with us today. Our friendly team of experts will be happy to help with any questions you may have.
Got any burning questions?
You can ask us a question online using our contact form. Simply provide your name, email (purely for confirmation purposes) and the details of your enquiry, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Why choose Browns Recycling?
- Paper, Plastic & more recycled
- Dedicated recycling centre
- Aim for zero waste to landfill
What our clients say about us
“We are hugely grateful to Brown Recycling for their help on DIY SOS: The Big Build in Stoke. Dave and the team went above and beyond to clear the site and then bring in other suppliers who also supported this great cause. Thanks to the generosity of countless suppliers and volunteers, Stoke now has a community centre that will support its residents for many years to come.”
Read more testimonials
Fully accredited by leading industry bodies
-
Excellent service on a recent Hazardous waste removal from one of our sites. Paddy and Stacey wasted no time in arranging for our waste to be removed in surprisingly quick turnaround. 10/10...
1 week ago -
Hired a skip to clear a huge pile of garden waste. Arrived on time, picked up bang on time, dead easy to book and pay. Courteous, helpful drivers. Job done! just as it should be, without drama. Highly...
1 month ago -
Very professional service and the customer service team are very helpful and knowledgeable. We have been working with browns and using their services for a number of years and cannot fault it. Very co...
1 month ago -
Terry was very efficient. We will use brown for skips again...
2 months ago -
Had problems with getting the skip into our drive but Browns persisted and 3 trucks later the 3rd driver got the job done. Incredible service from a very professional and competent company. Special me...
2 months ago -
Really efficient service, competitive price and they dropped off skip exactly where we asked them to. Easy to book a skip over the weekend using their online booking system. Very helpful when we nee...
3 months ago -
I ordered a skip at short notice and it arrived as requested. Having finished with it early Terry came and collected it very promptly which freed up the driveway. A Good service and reasonably priced....
3 months ago -
Brilliant service - I booked for the wrong date, but Browns were really helpful and changed the booking at the last minute....
4 months ago -
We chose Brown Recycling because out of the firms we rang the lady on the end of the phone knew exactly what we needed and was very helpful. ( Yes you can place a skip in a council paying car park) A...
5 months ago -
A big thanks to Phil, always helpful and polite when collecting cardboard, nothing too much trouble ....
5 months ago -
Christie has been great in providing us with a total review of our waste services on site. If you are looking at reviewing your waste service then I would highly recommend that you reach out to her as...
6 months ago -
really fast and a easy process. Thank you Christie...
6 months ago -
Christie has been most helpful and informative whilst booking a new service for plastic and general waste recycling. Would recommend :)...
6 months ago -
Christie was very helpful, she managed the whole process very efficiently and met our expectations. We now have the service and commercial offering we need for our business waste. We would recommend...
9 months ago -
Quick and really reliable service.... was a pleasure dealing with Christie!!!...
9 months ago -
Requested amendment to current waste collection. Very helpful and was able to answer all queries and adapt to our requirements. Definitely recommend...
10 months ago -
We had a visit today from Mark and Andy dropping off our new waste bin. I would just like to acknowledge their outstanding customer service. They disposed of the built up waste that we had gathered si...
11 months ago -
Full marks to Andy and Mark. Went above and beyond today and would highly recommend them to anybody looking to recycle large quantities of waste. Professional, efficient and very approachable...
11 months ago -
First time using Browns, they were clear, efficient and got the job done. Will continue to use their services....
1 year ago -
New to sorting a bin service for our new business. Christie and Brown Recyling has been great with helping us select the right type of bin required as well as not overspending for the sake of it. He...
1 year ago -
Super easy to set up a long term skip hire, Christie made things nice and clear and the prices were good too! everything was ready to go really quick, highly recommend Browns...
1 year ago