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Got paper? Recycle it.

We connect with paper products every day – at home in the kitchen and bathroom; at the office; at the airport.

But it is estimated that only 5% of South African households recycle their paper products. So what is the other 95% doing? Unfortunately their paper goes into the refuse bin and off to landfill.

Today a magazine, tomorrow a newspaper

Locally produced paper is made from plantation-grown trees, recycled paper fibre or sugar cane fibre, making recycled paper is a valuable resource in the paper and packaging chain. While 62% of paper is recovered in South Africa, just less than one million tonnes still end up in landfill, degrading with food waste and adding to greenhouse gas levels in the air we breathe.

By recycling paper, the carbon (absorbed as carbon dioxide by the trees) remains ‘locked up’ in the paper and out of the atmosphere for longer.

Sort your rubbish from your recyclables

The first step to paper recycling is getting to know your recyclables.

YES NO
  • Magazines and brochures including glossy varieties
  • Newspapers
  • Office and shredded paper; envelopes
  • Cardboard of any kind – dry food, cosmetic and medicine boxes; roll cores; packing cartons
  • Paper giftwrap
  • Milk, beverage and food cartons
  • Used paper plates, disposable nappies, tissues and toilet paper
  • Wax-coated, foil-lined or laminated boxes
  • Used cement bags and  dog food bags
  • Foil gift wrapping, carbon and laminated paper

Get it collected or drop it off

Visit www.mywaste.co.za for collection programmes or drop-off sites in your area. Keep recyclables aside for an informal collector who walks your neighbourhood every week or contract the services of a small recycling business.

 

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