In this new era of sustainability, the Recycling of Paper and Cardboard is one of the most important actions for the preservation and environmental balance that the planet demands so much. We all make use of these two elements on a daily basis, often without being aware of what is happening for them to reach our hands. Keep reading, find out about the whole process and how we can help, the planet will thank you!
Recycling of Paper and Cardboard
The disappearance of large extensions of trees and with them the destruction of entire ecosystems, is the most notable consequence of the use of paper and cardboard. For this reason, man has seen the urgent need to find ways to reverse this damage. Hence the need to implement systems that allow the recycling of these elements. In this way he would contribute to the creation of a truly sustainable system that the planet requires so much.
When these actions are accepted as part of everyday life, you are helping to reduce the environmental impact. This includes the increase in greenhouse gases from the destruction of the planet's natural lungs. During the transformation process, the paper industry is one of those considered highly polluting. It consumes enormous amounts of water and energy, as well as chemical agents that allow the elaboration of the final product.
Therefore, the need to establish paper and cardboard recycling systems to mitigate the damage caused to nature is evident. These simple actions allow us to reduce cats and lead us to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Paper Sources
As is well known, paper is made up of a thin layer of cellulose, derived from fibrous plant materials. This hygroscopic compound, that is, it is a porous material capable of absorbing humidity from the environment and therefore color and ink. Depending on its usefulness, different additives are added for its use. Paper pulp can come from three sources. In the first place, from trees, these provide the raw material necessary to obtain cellulose.
These can be of soft bark for the creation of paper for wrapping or cardboard and those with a hard bark to make the paper on which to write. Therefore, secondly, there are the leftovers, that is, reusing waste material, in this case sawdust, with which recycled cardboard, wrappers or disposable products are made. Finally, thirdly, pulp from recycled paper, here the pulp is made from used and discarded paper, not including napkins, pizza cardboard or toilet paper.
The paperboard
In the case of the manufacture of cardboard, this is made with the same procedure, but for its production it requires a greater amount of cellulose, since its consistency must be stronger and thicker. In most cases the bleaching system is not used. For this reason it is important that cardboard is also on the list of recyclable material.
The cardboard can be easily reused, that is, give it a second life that is not the blue container. With it you can create various useful objects at home, office and school. Recycling cardboard requires a process similar to that of paper. In this case, soap must be added to achieve greater resistance, then it is treated according to hardness, thickness and usefulness.
Paper Industry
The sole purpose of this industry is the transformation of the raw material, which in this case is wood, more specifically the cellulose pulp into paper. The wood that is used mostly are those better known as pulpable wood from conifers and deciduous tree species. These trees can be fir, pine and spruce which are softwoods, but it can also be extracted from hardwoods such as birch and eucalyptus. Extensive plantations are cultivated in many countries and are constantly being replanted in order to meet demands.
Transformation of Raw Material
The paper industries, in their first phase, use 95% wood and 5% linen and cotton rags. These procedures can be categorized in three ways, those that specialize in making paper pulp, for this, first of all, the trunks are debarked with specialized machinery, some of which work dry and others with abundant water. Then these trunks are chopped and crushed, there is the first resulting paste, which is composed of lignin and cellulose. Subsequently, the lignin is removed through a procedure called bleaching.
These procedures will be conditioned by the performance and quality of the desired product, for which different chemical methods are involved, such as mechanical pulp, this method is based on the grinding of the pulp to separate the fibers, in some cases they add chemicals to facilitate the removal of unnecessary materials. Another way is chemical pulp and recovery, which consists of chemically dissolving the lignin, but this ends up reducing the production yield by 40%.
Our Process
In this case, the wood goes through a piece of equipment called a digester with chemical additions, where it is cooked at high temperatures and the resulting product is then deposited. It is important to highlight that, with this procedure, the recovery of residues can be carried out in the digesters that are used to generate electricity from the resulting steam.
Other industries are oriented not only in the creation of cellulose or pulp but also in the manufacture of paper itself. These companies carry out the procedure of separating the cellulose from any other component, to obtain the paper pulp. They add certain chemicals to get a chemically stable, white and flexible compound.
To bleach paper pulp, it is necessary to dissolve or modify the lignin that remained as a result of the previous processes. Here whiteners, temperature and time intervene. Paste is then washed with caustic agents to burn and destroy organic tissues and dissolve lignin. The paste then goes through sieves and cleaners that remove any trash, plastic, or other contaminants.
Environmental Consequences of Paper Manufacturing
By creating a ton of paper, at least 20 trees are being cut down, which implies not only the death of these plants that serve as the lungs of the planet, because thanks to them, carbon dioxide can be transformed into oxygen, which is essential for life. This excessive logging for the desire to satisfy a market is causing greenhouse gases to increase every day, which contributes directly to global warming and therefore to sudden changes in climate.
This uncontrolled action and even so, directly affects the flora and fauna as they destroy the habitat of certain species, both animal and plant. Landscaping is affected and soil degraded. Many forests have been victims of this activity that will take many years to reverse and reach its initial balance.
However, another consequence of paper production is the use of chemicals that affect the soil, air and water. Their use and disposal can destroy entire ecosystems. The overexploitation of resources such as water represents a real threat to living beings, as well as energy from fossil fuels. Behind each sheet of paper there are lives that die, trees that fall and water that is contaminated, that's why we have to recycle.
Advantages of Recycling Paper and Cardboard
When you adopt the habit of sustainability, you always seek a balance between what is required and the resources in your environment. In this way, recycling is synonymous with conserving and preserving the environment from different angles, because when paper and cardboard are collected to place them in their respective containers, the material discarded in landfills and other unsuitable areas or incineration processes is reduced.
Another of the great advantages of recycling is that it contributes to the preservation of forests and together with them the animal species that live there. Greenhouse gases are reduced. More water and energy are conserved. Last but not least, the economic savings, since the acquisition of recycled paper is much cheaper.
Recycled Paper Production
The paper is a product of vegetable fiber, in the case of paper made from recycled material, that is to say that its raw material is not pure, it is necessary to start by knowing the origin and its components, then remove all traces of ink or other contaminating agents. Having carried out this procedure, it is cut into very small pieces that will be mixed with water until a compact mixture is obtained. As much as possible should be whitened using specialized chemical agents, for example carbon peroxide.
When this paste is completely white and free of all impurities, it is placed on plates that will give thickness and shape to future sheets, which are then cut according to need, packed and put back at the service of whoever needs it. The fiber of this paper can be reused at least 6 times. This can guarantee the life of at least 20 trees for each ton of paper. In addition to this, when paper and cardboard are recycled, you are reducing the exploitation of other resources such as fossil energy and water, which is beneficial for the planet.
Difference between Recycled Paper and Ecological Paper
It is important to distinguish between an ecological paper and a recycled one. In the case of ecological paper, it goes through production processes where sustainability criteria prevail, that is, where the environmental impact is minimized as much as possible. To do this, a bleaching system friendly to nature is used in principle, such as oxygen, ozone or chlorine dioxide. Likewise, the processes that involve the excessive use of water and energy are significantly reduced, replacing the latter with clean energy.
For its part, recycled paper has gone through certain processes in order to be able to use it again. It certainly reduces the use of fiber, but more must always be added, in smaller quantities, in order to obtain the quality that is required.
Steps to Recycle Paper and Cardboard
For the paper and cardboard recycling system to be successful, some steps must be rigorously followed. The main thing is to know that in the group of containers, blue corresponds to everything related to paper and cardboard, there you can deposit printing and writing paper, telephone directories, envelopes, advertising, paper or cardboard containers and packaging, catalogues, newspaper brochures , magazines, books, paper or cardboard folders.
It is important to keep in mind that adhesive labels, photos, x-rays, carbon paper, paraffin, aluminum, hygienic or thermal paper for fax should not be placed in these containers. Knowing this, you should proceed to remove staples, adhesive tape, seals or plastic, the ideal is that it is not folded or wrinkled. But in the specific case of cardboard, it can be folded so that it takes up less space.
Thanks to this system, it is possible to obtain paper for packaging, newsprint, tissue, toilet paper, decorative or gift paper, and even for printing and writing, as well as different types of cardboard.
Recycle and Reuse
For many the word recycle is the same as reuse and it is not. When the term recycling is used, it refers to a material that can be subjected to a transformation process and reintroduced into the cycle of use. This is a way to significantly reduce the amount of waste contributing to the maintenance and preservation of the environment. This happens when paper and cardboard are recycled, both materials are processed several times, obtaining a product suitable for a new use.
Now, the term reuse is used when the material is given a different use for which it was created. In this case, chemical processes are not required, but only physical. These two concepts are very similar and their difference will lie depending on the case where it is being applied. An example of this is when cardboard is reused to make different toys. In this case the process is purely physical. But in the case of glass, it is processed to create a new piece from many pieces, here if the physical-chemical process intervenes.
Reusing is truly important when you want a sustainable life, because many materials such as paper and cardboard can be attributed a new utility, contributing to the reduction of waste and waste that deteriorate the environment, in addition to saving energy and in many cases water. .
Examples of Recycling and Reusing Paper or Cardboard
Being clear about the concept of recycling and reusing, it is appropriate to know some examples of how we can put it into practice. In the case of paper and cardboard recycling, it is necessary to know which ones are really processable. For this reason it is important to take into account which ones are suitable and to be able to place them in the container provided for it. These materials can be taken to specialized centers to be processed and put back into the market system for purchase.
Now, if the intention is to reuse it, the sheets can be used on their reverse, when it is already used on both sides it can be used in the creation of crafts, the same thing happens with cardboard.
How to Reduce the Use of Paper and Cardboard
There is a more important action than recycling or reusing and it is about reducing. Humanity is currently turning its gaze and focusing all its attention on the search for methods to reduce the use of these highly demanded materials such as paper and cardboard. Reducing the use of these materials is more than a necessary action, it is urgent, since the planet is convulsing due to the exploitation of its resources and the excessive increase in waste.
Reducing is an individual task, since paper consumption is reaching unsustainable limits, so awareness must be raised and action must begin. Avoid impressions by replacing them with the use of technology and if it is imperative, try to do it in a single space and in draft mode. Learn to use both sides of the blade. In the notebook try to use the full sheets. Make crafts with magazine sheets or newspapers. Motivate the little ones to make homemade ecological paper.
Ideas to Recycle Paper and Cardboard
As a way to contribute to the conservation of the environment, it is suggested to make some objects from the recycling of paper and cardboard. Its use could give a chic touch to the decoration of our home, office, classroom or any other type of environment. Here are some ideas you can put into practice.
Toilet paper roll pen holders and vanity organizer, wall organizers and filing cabinets. With the egg carton you can make a beautiful sewing box. There are strong cardboards with which you can make doll houses, organizers of different sizes and shapes, and fake wicker boxes, among many other ideas. In the case of paper, beautiful origami figures can be made, in addition to mental hygiene. On the other hand, newspaper can be used to wrap vegetables that go in the fridge. This is a way to keep them for much longer.
You can also wrap gifts and notebooks, make paper lamps, make objects using the quilling technique. In addition, a table base can be made with magazines, it will be an attraction, photo frames or mirrors with rolled paper. These are some of the examples among many others in which paper and cardboard can be used. Go ahead, get down to work and help the planet. The trees will thank you!
Interesting Facts about Paper Consumption and Recycling
Did you know that using a ton of recycled paper saves at least 17 trees? For the manufacture of virgin paper, an average of 6.5 million hectares per year is being deforested. Paper can be recycled up to 11 times into different types of cardboard. Paper mills are the fourth industry with the most polluting effects, including greenhouse gases. Using a ton of recycled paper is equivalent in energy savings to maintain a home for six months.
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