How should we recycle paper? Recycling expert Gerry Acuna explains the process of paper recycling. "To truly get the greatest value for paper, you need to sort it," says Gerry Acuna, the president of Tri...
"To truly get the greatest value for paper, you need to sort it," says Gerry Acuna, the president of Tri Recycling Inc., who has been involved in recycling for 12 years.
"To optimize your recycling, take the white paper out, which is the most valuable. With whatever is left over you can generate what is called a mixed paper or file stock, which also has value and is shipped off to different mills."
"To optimize your recycling, take the white paper out, which is the most valuable. With whatever is left over you can generate what is called a mixed paper or file stock, which also has value and is shipped off to different mills."
Sorting your paper before it reaches the facility for reproduction speeds up the process and may help you earn more of a return if you're receiving payment for your material.
Acuna explains, "As a recycling company, when we collect paper it is usually all mixed up,copy [white] paper with newspaper and magazines." Sorting it before it arrives saves time and the energy of the machines that would sort it if you did not.
So, once you've divided your paper into appropriate categories, and have it ready for recycling, where do you take it?
The answer may be as close as your doorstep.
The experts at Paperrecycles.org say, "More than 85 percent of Americans have access to recycling programs."
More often than not, these programs are part of curbside recycling systems put in place by local waste management organizations, or disposal bins placed in convenient places such as grocery store parking lots and churches. You shouldn't have to travel too far to participate.
If you work in an office building, chances are your employer provides recycling bins for white paper and cardboard.
Most schools also have comprehensive paper recycling programs and many charities conduct paper drives to raise money for their organizations. Should you choose to use this method for donating your paper, your contribution may be tax-deductible. Check with the program coordinator of the drive or the website of the company sponsoring the fundraiser for specific information.
An international group called The Abitibi Paper Retreiver® Community Recycling Program is dedicated to helping schools and churches fundraise by managing paper recycling bins placed in their area.
"Paper is collected and weighed at the time of collection on the trucks. A monthly statement detailing the amount of paper collected for the month is accompanied by a check for the amount collected. In addition, Abitibi-Consolidated Recycling Division offers annual recycling contests and promotions to provide additional cash incentives. Over $2 million will be paid to participating organizations in this year alone," reads their website, which can be found at http://www.paperretriever.com.
Acuna points out, "Paper is probably the easiest thing to recycle because there is a viable market for it. Paper is a very easy commodity to recycle because it has a value much like aluminum."
However you choose to recycle, you can feel good about where your contribution is going.
The experts at Paperrecycles.org note, "When you recycle your used paper, paper mills will use it to make new newspapers, notebook paper, paper grocery bags, corrugated boxes, envelopes, magazines, cartons and other paper products."
Reusing materials to form these new products saves considerable space in our landfills and prevents fewer trees from being cut down.
