Paper is an inexpensive and versatile material that can be used in many contexts. Its recycling, if done correctly, is a resource for the planet and society.
The History of Paper
Paper, the successor of papyrus and parchment for written communication, originated in China in the second century AD, then reached the Arab world in 751 AD, and arrived in Europe in the 11th century. Initially considered a low-quality material, its evolution accelerated with the invention of movable type printing at the end of the 15th century. Industrial production began in the 19th century with the development of mass-circulation newspapers and the first novels.
Paper Manufacturing
The paper manufacturing process occurs in two stages: the preparation of the pulp from debarked wood, which is cut into pieces and treated with chemicals, and the formation of the sheet. To produce one ton of paper, 2 to 2.5 tons of wood are required.
Recycling paper is essential for several reasons, primarily the reduction of tree felling. Properly recycled paper and cardboard are valuable resources. For example, recovering one ton of cellulosic material saves an average of three trees about 20 meters tall.
The Paper Recycling Process
The paper recycling process starts with separate collection, the responsibility of citizens and businesses. After collection, the waste is stored in recycling centers. Here, the paper is sorted, purified, and directed to subsequent processing stages (pressing, shredding, bleaching, pulping, and screening, which is the removal of impurities from the pulp). The finished product is cellulose pulp. Even the processing waste is reused.
Currently, not all types of paper can be recycled. Newspapers, magazines, notebooks, cardboard, and packaging can be recycled, while waxed, chemical, laminated, and carbon paper cannot.
Advantages of Paper Recycling
The advantages of paper recycling are mainly environmental. The production of recycled paper reduces deforestation, which helps prevent soil erosion, protect biodiversity, and preserve water basins. Additionally, the lower quality of waste to be treated reduces the energy costs of the disposal process, the accumulation of waste in landfills for incineration, and consequently, a substantial reduction in pollution. The production costs of recycled paper are lower than those of wood pulp treatment and are less polluting.
Another advantage of paper recycling is social, as it increases job opportunities in the green economy of the recycling industry.
Paper Recycling in Italy
According to the annual report by Comieco (National Consortium for the Recovery and Recycling of Cellulose-based Packaging), in 2021, Italy ranked first in paper and cardboard recycling, surpassing the 85% recycling rate target set by the UN 2030 Agenda. 3.6 million tons of cellulosic material were collected in the country, with the most virtuous regions being Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, and Valle d'Aosta.
PAL Green Division's Interventions in the Paper Recycling Sector
PAL Green Division also deals with selection, recycling, and industrial reuse, aiming to maximize efficiency in the selection process and reduce waste. Among the projects related to the paper industry, it has managed a waste selection plant for paper, cardboard, and multi-material in Tolentino, in the province of Macerata. The plant currently processes 30,000 tons of material per year, 17,000 of which are paper.