What is the process that happens when recycling paper?

Question

I put lots of different types of paper in our recycling bin at work and was just wondering how they are all recycled together to make new paper! Sounds weird i know but it was just one of those random thoughts. Thanks if you answer Xx

Answer 1

Hi,

It depends on who is actually getting the paper. Most of the recycling facilities that handle paper separate them by grades, cardboard, newspaper, mixed paper, etc. These different grades are then marketd back to the manufacturers. When the paper fibers get too long or are too mixed, the then get sent to a paperboard plant.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

This is what is called a "pica" in psychiatry, the consuming of non-food items. When paper is manufactured, it goes through a lot of different chemical processes and many of the chemical used are left in residual in the product. No one assumes that anyone will actually eat the paper and so there are no warning labels on it, right? You can do two things here: 1) You can write to the manufacturer of the paper and ask for a Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS sheet) and this document will tell you what's in the product. 2) You can go online to the manufacturer's website because the MSDS sheet may be posted there for you. That's one hell of a lot of "fiber" to go through your system and the hot water could work to break down and release a lot of the chemical used in manufacturing. Why not just eat lettuce all day?