How is recycled paper made?
With the rising cost of gas getting so much attention we are beginning to take a more serious look at our environment. Everyone has heard the term “recycled paper” but how many of us really know what that means? Here is a brief explanation of how recycled paper is made. In very simple terms, recycled paper is made much the same way as brand new, virgin paper. The basic difference in taking paper that has been used previously and reusing or recycling it is that the used or waste paper must first be cleaned. 1) Collection. Waste paper is collected or recovered by collection or recycling centers. It is then sorted by grade and forwarded to paper mills to be used in the recycled paper making process. 2) Breaking it down. Waste paper is put into large vats to which water and chemicals are added. This mixture is stirred by large beaters to separate the paper fibers that are then forced through a screening process to remove the large contaminants from the pulped fibers. The remaining mixture
