What does it take to convert paper and cardboard into a sturdy and absorbent wiper that, in its second life, cleans offices, kitchens, restrooms, and everything in between?
Travel the recycling path to learn what it takes to accomplish this feat.
Collection and sorting
The first step is to collect the recyclables. This happens in communities nationwide through curbside recycling programs or at municipal drop-off sites.
Once collected, the mixed recyclables are delivered to a materials recovery facility. There, workers sort the paper from plastic, glass, metal, and other items. To accomplish this, recyclables are placed on conveyor belts, where workers remove nonrecyclables, dangerous items (such as needles), and “tanglers” (plastic bags and hoses) that can jam machines.
The recycling facilities use various mechanical sorting methods. For example, screens separate items by size and shape. Light paper rises to the top of the pile, while heavier glass and containers fall to the bottom. Magnets pull steel cans off the belt. Air blows lighter plastics and paper up. Lasers identify and separate different types of plastics, and eddy currents push metal items (like aluminum and copper) off the belt into a separate chute.
The facilities also use automated machines equipped with sensors and artificial intelligence to separate different grades of paper. Newspaper, cardboard, office paper, and mixed paper are compressed and baled together in large cubes. Paper mills purchase the bales and implement the next steps.
Paper processing
At a paper mill, bales are broken down and fed into industrial shredders, which cut the paper into fibers. Large, tank-like machines called hydrapulpers mix fiber fragments with water and chemicals to create a slurry, known as pulp. During this stage, contaminants like staples and plastic are removed.
Next, the pulp goes through a wash cycle using air bubbles and water. Bubbles lift ink particles from the pulp, and water-based washing systems remove impurities like glue and other contaminants to ensure a higher quality of
recycled paper product.
The clean pulp is spread over a mesh screen to rain out water. Next, the wet pulp goes through a series of rollers and heated cylinders to dry it and squeeze out any remaining water. Then the pulp fibers are pressed together to create a bond.
To make double re-creped (DRC) wipers, disposable cleaning tools with a cloth-like feel, a proprietary technology blends recycled fibers with raw, virgin fibers. This process enhances the strength, bulk, absorbency, softness, and appearance of paper-based wipers.
The process mixes in a synthetic latex resin to bind the fibers and create a double re-crepe cellulose base, which gives DRC wipers double the strength of ordinary paper towels when wet.
Finishing the product
Finally, it’s time to convert the dry web of fibers into a finished sheet. DRC wipers are made from industrial-sized mill rolls which are converted into wipes, wipers, and paper towels. The final DRC product is a high-quality wiper that is made with 40% recycled fibers.
The next time you throw out paper, consider recycling it instead. Paper recycling is an essential part of sustainable waste management that reduces deforestation, decreases landfill waste, and uses less energy than manufacturing new paper. The limited effort it takes to put paper in a recycling bin will give it a second life.
RECYCLING 101
Do your building residents need guidance regarding which paper trash is recyclable? Refer to the tips below:
Paper
- Only recycle clean and dry paper.
- Recyclable paper includes paper bags, office paper, newspaper, magazines, and junk mail.
- In general, don’t recycle store receipts on shiny paper, glittery or shiny wrapping paper or greeting cards, or envelopes with plastic windows. (Or check with your local recycler.)
Cardboard
- Shipping boxes, cereal boxes, paperboard packaging, toilet paper rolls, shoe boxes, and tissue boxes are all recyclable.
- Some padded envelopes that use shredded newsprint can be recycled, while others with plastic or bubble wrap can’t. Look for a How2Recycle label on the envelope to be sure.
Banished from recycling bins
Throw these items in the garbage:
- Pizza boxes that are greasy, cheesy, or stained with sauce. (You can tear off the clean parts of pizza boxes and place them in recycling.)
- Used napkins and food packaging with grease or food residue.
- Laminated or wax-coated paper (sticky notes, waxed boxes, and laminated papers).
- Bubble wrap, Styrofoam, and packing peanuts.
- Wet paper or cardboard (it’s harder to process and may not be accepted).
Don’t put recycling in plastic bags, as they can get tangled in recycling machinery. Don’t “wishcycle,” by putting nonrecyclable items in the bin, hoping they’ll get recycled. When in doubt, throw it out.
