Paper to paper to paper...

In the Netherlands, used paper is the main ingredient in the production of new paper and cardboard: in 2002, 77% used paper and 23% wood fiber were used for production. Trees are cut down to be processed to wood fiber. A big part of our daily waste is reusable paper. Unfortunately, paper can't be recycled endlessly. After 5 or 6 times the fiber is too short for good quality paper products like cardboard boxes. Conclusion: we will always need a new source of wood in the production of paper.

However, collecting and recycling paper saves trees. In the Netherlands, clean paper and cardboard without plastic coating is collected by goverment, businesses, schools and clubs. When it arrives at Reukema the paper is sorted by quality. Cardboard is separated from other paper. Reukema uses machines for this, but employees always check the lot for leftover cardboard and pollution like plastics.

There are many categories of quality in paper, and the yield of a load of paper depends on the category in which it falls. Ripping, sniffing and scratching the paper give clues about its type. Each kind of paper has the qualities for the production of specific paper products.