RecyclePaperZA releases ready-to-use graphics for designers and retailers to promote recycling

RecyclePaperZA, the South African paper recycling association, has produced a set of graphics that just about anyone can apply on paper-based packaging and communication materials.  The basic message is short and simple: Recycle this product – whether it be a box, a brochure or a document. The graphics are available Adobe Illustrator, EPS and Jpeg formats.

“The first step in the recycling process is separation-at-source,” says Anele Sololo, manager: training and operations for RecyclePaperZA. “It helps to reduce the amount of re-usable paper-based material going to landfill by keeping it clean and dry before until it reaches paper mills that make it into new products that we use every day.”

There are many paper-based products that do not overtly encourage recycling and as a result end up being thrown in with general rubbish and wet waste, leading to contamination of the paper fibre. “We want businesses and brand owners to extend their responsibility by helping consumers know what should be put into a paper recycling bin and what is general waste.”

Last year, the paper recycling industry, conscientious consumers and thousands of collectors kept 1.3 million tonnes* of paper, paper boxes and liquid packaging out of landfill. This amount would fill 1,539 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

“However, there are still many people who do not know what is recyclable. By printing these graphics on products can be separated from wet and non-recyclable waste, we hope that consumers will be actively encouraged to separate at source,” says Sololo.

The graphics can be downloaded here.

For more information, please visit www.recyclepaper.co.za.

* This represents 70% of the 1.8 million tonnes of paper available for recovery and excludes books, archived records and unrecyclable paper like toilet tissue.

The post Make sure your paper products and packaging do not go to landfill first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).

Recovered paper fibre has been used in South Africa as a raw material since 1920 and is thus a well-established waste stream. Locally and sustainably produced paper is a renewable resource with recycling featuring as a key component in the lifecycle of many paper products. But how much is actually recovered for reuse by the paper and paper packaging sector?

In 2001, the Paper Recycling Association of South Africa (RecyclePaperZA) reported a 38% paper recovery rate, rising to 59% in 2011. The association projected paper recycling rates to increase to 63% by the end of 2017 but by 2016 the paper and paper packaging industry well exceeded this with its 2015 figure of 66% of the nation’s recoverable paper and cardboard being recycled into new paper products.

“The 1.2 million tonnes of recyclable paper and paper packaging diverted from landfill in 2015 equated to 1,435 Olympic-sized swimming pools,” explains RecyclePaperZA operations director Ursula Henneberry.

This means the country is well ahead of the global average of 57.9% as reported by the International Council of Forest and Paper Association (ICFPA) in its 2015 report.

Renewable and recyclable paper packaging – a prominent part of daily life

From sturdy fruit boxes and colourful cereal boxes to the classic toilet roll core, and from egg boxes to milk and juice cartons, a large proportion of paper packaging is recyclable. Once recovered, the paper fibre is repulped and made into new paper products that we use every day.

“Some paper products cannot be recovered for recycling because they are kept for long periods of time such as books or archived in the form of business and financial records; others are destroyed or contaminated when used like tissue and hygiene products,” comments Henneberry.

Promise for paper recycling

The growth in paper recovery rates is a promising trend for the country because of the environmental benefits to recycling. Recycling lessens the impact on already pressured landfill sites since the need for landfilling is avoided. One tonne of recovered paper saves three cubic metres of landfill space.

Recycling also opens up entrepreneurial opportunities for unemployed or unskilled citizens and provides dignified work for informal collectors especially if residents and businesses separate their recyclables from non-recyclable and food waste.

South Africans can definitely do more by being more disciplined with office and home recycling programmes – by using free and paid collection services or supporting school and community centres with their fundraising recycling initiatives.

“A very practical way to improve your paper recycling habits is to keep paper clean and dry, and separate from wet waste and other recyclables, and putting it on the pavement for an informal collector. This not only gives these people money in their pockets, but also gives them dignity,” says Henneberry.

South Africa shows progress in recycling

While the country does not have the same ease of recycling for the everyday consumer that exists in developed countries, such as recycling bins in every park or on every street corner, South Africa can be proud that it ranks firmly among the developed market rates.

“Apart of industry-led programmes, South Africa’s successful paper recovery can be largely attributed to the informal collector sector,” notes Henneberry.

Other BRICS countries, and even many developed countries, do not perform as well, such as Brazil at 47% and China at 44.7%. An article in The Hindu Times puts the level of recovery and utilisation of waste paper by paper mills in India at 27% of the total paper and paperboard consumed. On the top end of the scale, Australia recycles 85% of its paper and paper packaging.

RecyclePaperZA is expected to release the 2016 paper recycling figures at the end of May 2017. A list of RecyclePaperZA’s members and contact information is available on www.recyclepaper.co.za/members/

The post South Africa’s 66% paper recovery rate exceeds global average first appeared on The Paper Story (PAMSA).