Secondary fiber is fibrous material that has already been through the manufacturing process and is used once again as a raw material. The demand for recycled products has risen over the past years, driven by factors such as concern for the environment and consumer demand. The quality has improved greatly in the past few years due to technological advances.
There are different sources of these recycled fibers. For example, wastage from the manufacture of paper is recycled within the paper mills. There has been a major move in recent years by municipal and national authorities to put in place policies to encourage post-consumer waste recovery. This consists of anything from old newspapers and magazines to old corrugated containers.
Using these recycled fibers rather than virgin pulp means that trees are saved, reducing the exploitation of old forests. Most of the energy used to turn wood into paper is used in the pulping. When recycled fibers are pulped less energy and water are required. Recycling of fibers also means that less waste requires disposal, thus reducing landfill volume.
When fibers are recycled they have to be broken down by using chemicals and water. Chopping them up and applying heat reduces them to a pulp. Plastic and glue are removed from the pulp by straining it through screens. The pulp must cleaned, ink removed and bleached before it is ready to be used again for making new products.
The main objectives are to remove ink and any other contaminants while at the same time keeping the quality of the fibers intact. There are some problems associated with the recycling of fibers. The de-inking is one of these problems. Another is that recycled fibers have a higher drainage resistance making machines work slower. Tacky pliable materials like latex, adhesive and rubber called stickies are another problem. However, these problems are being addressed successfully. The use of enzymes, naturally occurring compounds, has showed great potential in solving these issues.
New methods are being developed all the time for improving brightness and cleanliness of recycled fibers. The resulting products have comparable or, in some cases, better cleanliness, brightness, and other sheet properties than those made with virgin fibers. Apart from paper and paper board, there are many other products too that are successfully made from recycled fibers and offered at competitive prices.
The practice of using chlorine to bleach paper is decreasing. This is due to the fact that dioxin, a carcinogen, is produced as a byproduct. Bleaching procedures that produce less toxic emissions are being used by most mills. Chlorine-free bleaching is also possible and most recycled fibers are now bleached by using alternative agents.
Manufacturers are actively seeking to increase the waste paper content of their products, not only for cost reasons, but also for environmental reasons. Consumer demand for products made with secondary fiber is increasing too as progress is made regarding their quality and variety. This trend is likely to continue in the years to come.
There are different sources of these recycled fibers. For example, wastage from the manufacture of paper is recycled within the paper mills. There has been a major move in recent years by municipal and national authorities to put in place policies to encourage post-consumer waste recovery. This consists of anything from old newspapers and magazines to old corrugated containers.
Using these recycled fibers rather than virgin pulp means that trees are saved, reducing the exploitation of old forests. Most of the energy used to turn wood into paper is used in the pulping. When recycled fibers are pulped less energy and water are required. Recycling of fibers also means that less waste requires disposal, thus reducing landfill volume.
When fibers are recycled they have to be broken down by using chemicals and water. Chopping them up and applying heat reduces them to a pulp. Plastic and glue are removed from the pulp by straining it through screens. The pulp must cleaned, ink removed and bleached before it is ready to be used again for making new products.
The main objectives are to remove ink and any other contaminants while at the same time keeping the quality of the fibers intact. There are some problems associated with the recycling of fibers. The de-inking is one of these problems. Another is that recycled fibers have a higher drainage resistance making machines work slower. Tacky pliable materials like latex, adhesive and rubber called stickies are another problem. However, these problems are being addressed successfully. The use of enzymes, naturally occurring compounds, has showed great potential in solving these issues.
New methods are being developed all the time for improving brightness and cleanliness of recycled fibers. The resulting products have comparable or, in some cases, better cleanliness, brightness, and other sheet properties than those made with virgin fibers. Apart from paper and paper board, there are many other products too that are successfully made from recycled fibers and offered at competitive prices.
The practice of using chlorine to bleach paper is decreasing. This is due to the fact that dioxin, a carcinogen, is produced as a byproduct. Bleaching procedures that produce less toxic emissions are being used by most mills. Chlorine-free bleaching is also possible and most recycled fibers are now bleached by using alternative agents.
Manufacturers are actively seeking to increase the waste paper content of their products, not only for cost reasons, but also for environmental reasons. Consumer demand for products made with secondary fiber is increasing too as progress is made regarding their quality and variety. This trend is likely to continue in the years to come.
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