The ins and outs of paper recycling

Paper, one of the most environmentally friendly and sustainable products, is made from farmed trees, just as your morning cereal was made from farmed wheat or corn. Plantation trees help to absorb carbon dioxide from and release life-giving oxygen into the atmosphere. Trees, and thus paper and wood products, store this carbon as solid matter. By recycling paper, we can ensure that this carbon is kept out of the atmosphere for longer. Paper recycling is one of the simplest ways that we can green our future.

By recycling paper, milk and juice cartons, glass, aluminium and plastic, we contribute to less pollution and litter, and create a healthier, greener and cleaner society.

Top Tips for Aspiring Recyclers
Give these items a new lease on life:

• Office paper
• Magazines – even glossy magazines
• Cardboard boxes
• Cereal boxes and most boxes that you encase your groceries and medicinal items
• Juice, milk, custard  and liquid cartons (Tetrapak, Tetrabrik etc) – Simply rinse, flatten and place with your paper recycling
• Newspapers (best recycled within three months)

The following paper types cannot be recycled:

• Foil gift wrapping and foiled lined boxes
• Wax coated or laminated boxes such as frozen food boxes
• Empty cement and dog food bags
• Disposable nappies
• Carbon paper
• Sticky notes

Do not mix your paper with other recyclables.Do not let your paper get wet or soiled by other rubbish. Keep it under cover or in a closed plastic container.If you don’t have a formal recycling collection service or drop-off depot in your neighbourhood, consider putting your recyclables in clear plastic bags so that the people who sort through the piles of refuse on collection day are afforded some dignity by not having to trawl through your week’s household waste.

Do your research and find out which companies collect paper in your area. Visit www.mywaste.co.za for these details.

To find out more about recycling you can keep in touch with RecyclePaperZA on Twitter by following @PaperRocks_SA or visiting www.mywaste.co.za.