Top Five Myths About Recycled Paper

Top Five Myths About Recycled Paper

Many people tend to underestimate the quality of recycled paper assuming it doesn’t measure up to non-recycled varieties. However, recycled paper has come a long way over the years and performs just as well as paper made from virgin fiber. Below are the top five myths about recycled paper.

1. Flimsy

Often thought to be thin and flimsy, recycled paper is sometimes passed over by businesses and professionals who don’t want important documents on cheap-looking paper. However, recycled paper stock is available in the same weight and thickness as non-recycled paper so it works well for everything from corporate letterhead to resumes.

2. Poor ink absorption

Another misconception about recycled paper is that it’s unable to properly absorb ink. This theory is based off the fact that recycled paper requires special washing and processing to remove ink from the reclaimed paper it’s made out of and therefore its fibers are weaker and lack absorbency. While recycled paper does need this special processing, it does not result in poor ink absorption. In fact, recycled paper absorbs ink just as well as virgin paper.

3. Costly

Whether it’s because of the additional processing required to make it or its lesser main stream acceptance, recycled paper is widely perceived as being much more expensive than virgin paper. While there is some truth to this, the difference in price between virgin and recycled paper is rather negligible. In the long run, if you feel the environmental benefits outweigh the few extra dollars you may end up spending, recycled paper is likely an ideal choice for you.

4. Dingy color

Recycled paper is made out of waste paper scraps from various different sources including discarded office paper, newspaper and magazines. Because the majority of this paper has printing on it, many believe that the resulting recycled paper is stained with this pre-existing ink and isn’t the same bright white as its non-recycled counterpart. However, with so many advancements in recycled paper processing over the years, this variety of paper is virtually identical in appearance to virgin paper.

5. Performance issues in office equipment

Many presume recycled paper is flimsy and does not perform well in printers, copiers or fax machines. Fearing paper jams and the like, some tend to steer clear of it. In reality though, as long as you purchase recycled paper in a 20 pound or greater weight stock, it will perform the same as non-recycled paper in all office machines.

All in all, recycled paper is equally comparable to virgin paper. And if a reduced carbon footprint is important to you or your company, consider using recycled paper for your printing and documentation needs.

How to Make Recycled Paper

Create Your Own Recycled Paper

Looking for a way to teach your students about recycling that goes beyond just using recycled paper? Why not make your own? A simple, inexpensive exercise, making homemade recycled paper is a great way to bring the topic to life in a fun, hands-on way. By gaining an understanding of the process and learning why it’s valuable, kids will have a better appreciation for why you insist on stocking your classroom with recycled paper. Plus, it’s simple and inexpensive. Follow the steps below and get your students ready to make their own paper.

1. Collect paper

A few weeks before you plan to start the project, ask students to begin collecting newspaper, copy paper, and any other scrap paper that’s been discarded. Having them bring the paper in from home will give them a sense of ownership of the project and will also help build enthusiasm in the preceding weeks.

2. Tear and fill

Once you’ve collected paper from the students, the next step is to tear or cut it into pieces. Small squares measuring approximately 1-by-1 inch are ideal. Once it’s cut, place the paper squares into buckets and pour warm water over them. Allow this paper and water combination to sit for at least 24 hours.

3. Mix

After a day or so, drain excess water from the buckets. Have the students use their hands to massage the mixture into a pulp, or pour it into a blender to mix it. The consistency should be similar to mashed potatoes.

4. Pour and dry

Nail screening material to wooden frames (it’s best to have these prepared prior to beginning the project) and pour the pulp mixture onto the screens letting the excess water drip into a basin or cooking sheets placed underneath. Gently tap a sponge on the underside of the screen and wring it out frequently. Once the screen is thoroughly coated, turn it paper-side down onto old towels or newspapers and allow it to dry for at least 24 hours.

5. Peel and use

Once it’s thoroughly dried, simply peel your handmade recycled paper off the screen and use. You may consider placing the newly made paper between two pieces of newspaper and ironing to flatten it out.

While this handmade creation will certainly not match the quality of the store-bought recycled copy paper you have at school, it’s great for homemade greeting cards and other crafts. Plus, students will take pride in knowing they’ve made it themselves and will have a real-life example of reducing their carbon footprint.

Differences Between Virgin and Recycled Paper

Recycled Paper versus Virgin Paper: What’s the Difference?

Have you ever wondered what the differences are between virgin and recycled paper? From the way they’re produced to how they impact the environment, these products that end up looking nearly identical on store shelves are actually quite different.

Production differences

While the finished product is about the same, virgin and recycled paper are produced very differently.

- Virgin paper is made directly from trees that have been cut and milled into pulp. The pulp is then processed to create paper.

- Recycled paper is made out of discarded paper and other like materials that are processed to remove ink and then formed into pulp. The pulp is then processed to create paper. The two main sources used to create recycled paper are pre- and post-consumer materials.

* Pre-consumer materials are those that never made it to the consumer and are sent directly from factories and warehouses to be recycled.

* Post-consumer materials are things like discarded newspaper, office copy paper, junk mail and other forms of paper the average person places in their recycling bin or brings to a recycling facility.

Both virgin and recycled paper are bleached to give them the bright white appearance we’ve come to recognize as standard.

Differences in environmental impact

It’s no secret that recycled paper is easier on the environment than its non-recycled counterpart. Here are some of the main ways they differ:

- Recycled paper requires no trees for production whereas virgin paper does. Therefore, the creation of virgin paper depletes this natural resource.

- Since recycled paper is created from paper waste, its creation saves massive amounts of excess waste from being shipped to landfills.

- Producing paper from virgin fiber is much more energy and water intensive than producing recycled paper. It also releases a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions into the environment.

Cost difference

There is a difference in price between virgin and recycled papers. Typically, recycled paper costs more. Here are some reasons why:

- Despite recycled paper’s increasing popularity over the years, there is still a greater demand for virgin paper. Therefore, virgin paper manufacturers can pass on a lower cost to the consumer based on sheer economics of scale.

- Recycled paper requires more processing to make it consumer-ready. Collecting and sorting through recovered waste paper is also very time and labor intensive, therefore driving up the cost.

When choosing between these two paper types, the decision will ultimately come down to cost and environmental impact. If you feel conserving natural resources is worth spending a few more dollars, than recycled paper is the way to go. Or, if virgin paper is still your preference, consider recycling it rather than throwing it in the trash to save landfill space and lessen your impact on the environment.

Recycled Paper: Learn the Benefits of Using Recycled Paper in Your Office

Why Choose Recycled Paper for Your Office?

If you’re responsible for maintaining your office’s paper supply, you are aware of the countless number of paper options available. Whether you are choosing between different shades of colored paper or deciding on inkjet or laser versus multipurpose copy paper, the choices are seemingly endless. Among the many varieties to choose from is recycled paper. Once thought of as being difficult to find and of poorer quality than its virgin paper counterpart, recycled paper has come a long way to reverse these perceptions. Plus, the environmental benefits are irrefutable. Why choose recycled paper for your office? Read some reasons below.

High quality

When it was first introduced, recycled paper had a somewhat grainy, off-white appearance and did not have the same long-term shelf life as virgin paper. Not so anymore. Today’s varieties of recycled paper are nearly impossible to tell apart from non-recycled sheets and since most are acid-free, they have more longevity. You will also get the same high-quality performance in copiers and fax machines as you would with standard copy paper.

Easy to find

Once a not-so-common find at most retail stores or distributers, recycled paper is now widely available thanks to increased use and demand over the years. Today the most common brands of paper now offer recycled paper as well. For these same reasons, the cost of recycled paper has fallen to prices comparable to non-recycled copy paper. Buying in large or bulk quantities will often reduce the cost even more.

Reduced carbon footprint

One of the most obvious benefits of using recycled paper is the decreased carbon footprint you will leave. Producing recycled paper helps conserve natural resources as it requires much less energy and water than producing virgin paper. It also results in less greenhouse gas emissions and landfill waste than non-recycled paper, and doesn’t require the same amount of bleaching with toxic chemicals. Recycling copy paper and using recycled copy paper is especially important because printing or copy paper typically uses twice as much wood.

Is recycled paper right for my company?

If your company is passionate about conservation or you are just looking for a simple way to be more environmentally conscious, choosing recycled printing or copy paper over standard copy paper is a great option. Since you will not be sacrificing quality or your budget, this is an easy office solution to fulfill your paper needs while also doing your part to better the environment in which we live in.