Grades of Wastepaper Understanding the Different Types
Wastepaper recycling is a vital process in today’s environmentally conscious society. It not only helps reduce landfill waste but also conserves natural resources and energy. However, not all wastepaper is created equal. Understanding the various grades of wastepaper is essential for effective recycling, as each grade has specific characteristics and applications. This article explores the different grades of wastepaper, their sources, and their significance in the recycling industry.
Group 1: Ordinary Grades
1.02.00 MIXED PAPERS AND BOARDS (SORTED)
A mixture of various qualities of paper and board, containing a maximum of 40% of newspapers and magazines (paper).
1.04.00 SUPERMARKET CORRUGATED PAPER AND BOARD
Used paper and board packaging, containing a minimum of 70% of corrugated board, the rest being solid board and wrapping papers.
1.06.00 UNSOLD MAGAZINES
Unsold magazines, with or without glue.
.07.00 TELEPHONE BOOKS
New and used telephone books, with unlimited content of pages coloured in the mass, with and without glue. Shavings allowed.
1.11.00 SORTED GRAPHIC PAPER FOR DEINKING
Sorted graphic paper from households, newspapers and magazines, each at a minimum of 40%. The percentage of non-drinkable paper and board should be reduced over time to a maximum level of 1.5%, which may nonetheless be negotiated with the customer paper mill.
Group 2: Medium grades
2.02.00 UNSOLD NEWSPAPERS WITH FLEXO-GRAPHIC PRINTING
Unsold daily newspapers, free from additional inserts or illustrated material coloured in the mass, with flexo-graphic printing.
2.02.01 UNSOLD NEWSPAPERS, NO FLEXO-GRAPHIC PRINTING ALLOWED
Unsold daily newspapers, free from additional inserts or illustrated material coloured in the mass, no flexo-graphic printed material allowed.
2.03 (2.03.01) LIGHTLY PRINTED WHITE SHAVINGS, WITH AND WITHOUT GLUE
Lightly printed white shavings, mainly mechanical pulp-based paper with or without glue.
2.07.00 WHITE WOODFREE BOOKS
Books, including misprints of books, without hard covers, mainly of woodfree white paper, black printed only. Containing a maximum of 10% of coated paper.
Group 3: High grades
3.02.00 MIXED LIGHTLY COLOURED WOODFREE PRINTER SHAVINGS
Mixed shavings of printing and writing papers, lightly coloured in the mass. Containing a minimum of 90% of woodfree paper.
3.04.00 TEAR WHITE SHAVINGS
White woodfree lightly printed shavings without glue, free from wet-strength paper and paper coloured in the mass.
3.05.00 WHITE WOODFREE LETTERS
Sorted white woodfree writing papers, originating from office records, free from cash books, carbon paper and non-water-soluble adhesives.
3.07.00 WHITE WOODFREE COMPUTER PRINT-OUT
White woodfree computer print-out, free from carbonless paper and glue.
3.16.00 & 3.16.01 WHITE WOODFREE PAPER, COATED AND UNCOATED
Shavings and sheets of white unprinted woodfree coated and uncoated paper, without glue.
Group 4: Kraft grades
4.01.00 NEW SHAVINGS OF CORRUGATED BOARD
Shavings of corrugated board, with liners of kraft or testline.
4.02.00 USED CORRUGATED KRAFT
Used boxes of corrugated board, with kraft liners only, the fluting made from chemical or thermo-chemical pulp.
Group 5: Special grades
Group 5 contains all special-grade paper, labels and wet-strength printed paper.
| 5.05.02 – labels with baselayer |
| 5.05.03 – paper release liner for self-adhesive labels |
| 5.08.00 – cores |
Understanding the grades of wastepaper is crucial for maximizing recycling efficiency and promoting sustainability. Each grade, from old corrugated containers to specialty papers, has unique characteristics that influence its recycling potential. By recognizing the different grades, businesses and individuals can make informed decisions about wastepaper disposal and contribute to a more sustainable future.
