It is estimated that only 5% of South African households recycle their paper and cardboard. So what is the other 95% doing with it?

A significant amount of recyclable paper is going to landfill every year. This paper degrades along with other food waste, adding to the levels of greenhouse gases in the air we breathe. Methane is 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide. In some cases, paper is incinerated, also causing air pollution.

By recycling paper, the carbon (originally stored by trees in the wood fibre) remains ‘locked up’ – and out of the atmosphere – for longer. It also saves landfill space. In 2013 1,2 million tonnes of paper were collected for recycling saving 3,5 million cubic metres of landfill space – the equivalent of 1,403 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

So this National Recycling Day – 19 September 2014 – why not make a commitment to start recycling paper?

Here are a few tips from the Paper Recycling Association of South Africa to get you started:
• Invest a paper-only bin or box in your home or office for easy recycling.

• Keep your paper clean and dry.

• Not all paper can be recycled so get to know your recyclables.

− Recyclable: magazines (including the glossy variety), newspapers, brochures, office paper, shredded paper, cardboard (cereal boxes, toothpaste boxes, medicine boxes, pizza boxes, tissue boxes) and cartonboard, liquid board packaging including beverage and food cartons.

− Not recyclable: wet, soiled paper such as used paper plates, disposable nappies, tissues and toilet paper; foil, gift wrapping, carbon paper; wax-coated, foil-lined or laminated boxes; used cement and dog food bags.

• Find a recycling collection programme or drop-off point near you by visiting www.mywaste.co.za. Many schools and community organisations earn money from recyclable paper collection. Support these initiatives.

• Support job creation by keeping your recyclables aside for an informal collector who walks your neighbourhood every week. This increases the quality of the recyclables and the collector could earn a little more for better quality.

• Don’t let the recycling pile get too big before you drop it off – keep a box/crate in your boot so you can do a weekly drop-off when you do your shopping or run other errands.

• Always keep in mind that you are recycling for a good reason – the future of our planet. This should be motivation enough to keep you going!
For more information on paper and paper recycling, visit www.thepaperstory.co.za. You can also follow @PaperRocks_SA on Twitter.

The post Clear the air by recycling paper first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).

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.

The post The ins and outs of paper recycling first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).