Paper: The Ultimate Material When it Comes to Recycling.

Paper is one of the most versatile and widely used consumer materials in the world ━ even in an increasingly digital world thriving with new-age technologies, people are still reliant on paper in their daily routines. But you probably already know that. Here’s one thing you might not know: Paper is also one of the easiest materials to recycle on earth. It is renowned for its recycling potential and is often perceived as the recycling industry’s biggest success story. Wanna know more? Keep reading!  

What is recycling? 

Words like recycling get thrown around a lot nowadays but what does it really mean?  

Put simply, recycling is the process of breaking down and repurposing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash. It is one of the most effective ways that we, as individuals, can try to make a positive impact on the environment we live in.

So, what does paper have to do with all of this? Well, paper recycling is in fact one of the earliest and most important actions individuals and companies took to treat our natural world more gently! We see paper all around us and because the demand for it is so high, paper recycling is important now more than ever!

Why is paper so easy to recycle?

Paper is an easy material to recycle because, unlike plastic or metals, it doesn’t necessitate extreme heat for it to melt down and turn into a new form. In fact, paper has a higher recycling rate and compares favorably to the recycling rates of other materials such as glass, metal, plastic and electronics. Additionally, paper production generally has a lower carbon footprint than other materials!

Did you know? For every ton of wood a forest produces, 1.47 tonnes of CO2 is removed from the air and is replaced with 1.07 tons of oxygen. So, the next time you feel guilty about using paper, just keep in mind that you’re not only using the most sustainable material on earth but you’re also helping to rid the atmosphere of carbon dioxide, thus actively contributing to the fight against global warming!

Is photocopier paper recyclable?
The answer is absolutely yes! Paper that comes out of your printer, notebook paper, or any other sheet paper is recyclable. Even if the paper is crumpled, torn in half, or folded it is still recyclable! When your printed paper is recycled, the de-inking process removes the ink from the pulp. After the bleaching process, it can even become white paper again! 

How many times can I recycle paper? 

This really boils down to the initial quality of the paper. Good quality paper (like photocopier paper) contains long fibres, which makes it an ideal candidate for recycling. Therefore, if you intend to recycle, start with IK Yellow papers!  IK Yellow specializes in high-quality, multifunction A4 paper that delivers high image quality at the office, and at home!

Can any type of paper be recycled? 

Although paper recycling has been around for a long time, there are a lot of gaps in our knowledge when it comes to what’s recyclable and what’s not. Let’s shine a light on those grey areas and find out what kind of paper can or can’t be recycled.  

Here are some of the common types of paper you CAN recycle: 

• Photocopier paper 
• Cardboard 
• Catalogues 
• Envelopes 
• Magazines & Newspapers  

Here are some of the common types of paper you CANNOT recycle: 

• Waxed paper 
• Shredded paper 
• Wrapping gift paper 
• Receipts
• Toilet paper

How can I recycle paper at home?

Recycling is important, but the paper recycling process is more than just sorting old sheets of paper into the right bin. You can recycle by reusing, thereby extending the life of the product. So, next time you make mistakes printing, and think of tossing your old photocopier paper in the bin, stop and think. It can almost certainly be reused. To prove it, here are 5 ways you can repurpose your old photocopier paper: 

1. Notebooks

If you’ve accidentally printed an excessive amount of paper, you can bundle the sheets together as a notebook. Just bind the sheets with a bulldog clip and you have paper ready for jotting down quick reminders and more.  

2. Envelopes
Instead of buying standard white envelopes, you can fold your photocopier paper into personalized envelopes for your pen pals.

3. DIY Sticky Notes

Rather than buying sticky notes, use scrap paper instead. Simply cut sheets of old paper into squares, stick double-sided tape on the back and you have a sticky note! 

4. Shelf liner or Organizer

Place old, clean sheets of recyclable paper inside cutlery drawers, at the bottom of fruit and vegetable drawers in your fridge or even in the boot of your car to help absorb odors, moisture and keep things clean.

5. Gift Wrapping Paper

Run out of wrapping paper? Don’t worry, a thin unused photocopier paper should do the trick.  So, if you happen to have some old IK Yellow 70 GSM sheets lying around, don’t let them go to waste! Instead, use them for custom-wrapped gifts during festive seasons.

The Bottomline

Now that you are up to speed on the easiest material to recycle on Earth, remember, there’s always ‘reuse’ before ‘recycle’, so before chucking out your old photocopier paper, consider how it can be given a new lease of life. From some simple home care hacks to a fun DIY, you could already be on your way to making significant positive changes to the environment!