Paper and paperboard

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Blue paper and cardboard containers

In Elche there are many containers for the selective collection of paper and cardboard where citizens can deposit this type of waste for subsequent recycling.

 

What is done with the paper and cardboard collected in the blue containers?

The collected paper and cardboard is transferred by the Elx Verda i Neta team to the Vallongas plant, where it is responsible for its reception, verification, control and subsequent shipment to the bin for the manufacture of various products with this recycled material.

 

Manufacturing Process

Basically for the manufacturing process of new products there is a part of virgin cellulose and another from recycled material. The main phases are the following:

  • Classification, preparation and packaging of the recovered material.
  • Pulp operation: its objective is to separate the fibers contained in the used paper, without breaking them.
  • Elimination of unwanted waste: the paper pulp is filtered through sieves of different sizes to separate plastics, wires, dirt, etc.
  • De-inking: the ink is removed using soap and projecting pressurized air. The air and the soap form bubbles that rise to the surface, where powerful vacuum cleaners collect the mixture of inks that the used paper had.
  • It is combined with the pulp from virgin cellulose from the wood of trees planted for this purpose.
  • Successive washing and thickening: it consists of gradually reducing the amount of water in the paper pulp
  • Paper machine: the paper is completely dried and a consistent sheet of paper is obtained.
como-se-fabrica-el-papel

Environmental advantages of paper recycling

  • Recycling paper and cardboard helps reduce landfills and prevents the emission of greenhouse gases that cause climate change.
  • In 2017, almost 4,400 tons of paper and cardboard were collected, which in volume is equivalent to almost 33 Olympic swimming pools saving landfill space.
  • For every kilo of paper and cardboard that we collect for recycling, we avoid the emission of 900 grams of CO2 in landfills. And 150 kg of paper and cardboard are equivalent to the emissions of 1 trip of 800 km by car.
  • Used paper and cardboard is not garbage, it is a resource.
  • Recycling paper and cardboard makes the most of wood: a natural, renewable and recyclable resource.
  • The newspaper you put in the blue bin today will be the newspaper you read next week.
  • With 1,000 kg. More than 5,000 newspapers or more than 11,000 boxes of breakfast cereals can be made from selectively collected paper and cardboard.

 

Did you know…?

…. The paper is initially manufactured with cellulose fiber from wood that is grown in forest plantations that are continually being replanted and regenerated and are the engine of the rural economy. 97% of the wood that the Spanish pulp and paper industry uses as raw material comes from local plantations (of pine and eucalyptus species).

…. We are the third country in the European Union in terms of forest area. Through ASPAPEL, the paper sector promotes the sustainable forest management of these forest masses and their certification. Currently, 55% of the nationally manufactured paper placed on the market is certified, with a growth of eight percentage points compared to the previous year.

…. paper comes from wood and is a material that has environmental benefits as it is natural, renewable and recyclable. With the recycling of paper, a whole cycle of use of the cellulose fiber is produced. But this utilization cycle needs to incorporate a certain amount of virgin fiber to keep it running because the fiber deteriorates with successive uses. That is, paper cannot be recycled indefinitely. It is estimated that up to 7 times. Therefore, it is necessary for both fibers to coexist – virgin and recycled.

 

REMEMBER

  • Recycling paper and cardboard is a simple gesture that benefits us all. Deposit paper and cardboard waste in the blue container.
  • To make everyone’s work easier, place the boxes in the cardboard container folded. This way you will facilitate the recycling of the rest of the citizens
  • Do not leave paper and cardboard outside the container.
  • Prevent paper and cardboard from being mixed with plastics, straps or other waste. If you transport paper and cardboard waste in plastic bags once you have emptied the paper and cardboard into the blue container, place the bag in the yellow container next to you.