What is paper recycling?
Most countries have efficient systems in place for collecting and sorting wastepaper. This paper can be reused for making similar products, reducing the amount of waste that ends up at landfills and the need for new virgin fibre. When fibre is too weak for further recycling, it can also be used for generating bioenergy.
Why is paper a sustainable product?
Unlike plastics and many other packaging materials, paper contains no petrochemicals, which means it is completely renewable. The fibre can be recycled efficiently. Made from renewable resource, paper’s main raw material will never be depleted. What is more, trees capture carbon from the atmosphere, making forests a ‘carbon sink’ that helps mitigate climate change.