Recycled Paper Facts

Frequently Asked Questions about recycled paper...

Is Recycled Paper Really Better For The Environment?

Yes. Manufacturing recycled paper consumes on average five times less energy and three times less water than non-recycled paper and its carbon footprint is 45% lower. Recycled paper therefore has much less of an impact on the environment.

Is De-Inking A Toxic Process?

No. The process of de-inking recycled fibres uses water, black soap and hydrogen peroxide. The de-inking sludge that is a by-product of this process can be recovered and put to other uses.

Are Existing Certification Systems Really Reliable?

Yes, forestry certification systems such as the FSC are now a benchmark in wood by-product markets. Auditors regularly inspect the manufacturing chain to ensure compliance with regulations.

Which Should We Be Using: Recycled Or Certified Paper?

Each has its merits and its part to play. Recycled paper helps cut down on waste paper that would otherwise be sent to landfill or for incineration. Recycling consumes less energy, water and raw materials than are used in manufacturing. However, paper can only be recycled between four and five times, so there will always be a requirement for virgin fibres. The best option is without doubt a mix of fibres using FSC-certified fibres where possible.

Why Do We Want To Reduce Landfill?

When it reaches the end of its life-cycle, paper that is sent to land-fill or incinerated will produce further greenhouse gases* (carbon dioxide or methane) as it degrades.

Produced in equal amount's, methane is 25 times more harmful than carbon dioxide in terms of contributing to the greenhouse effect. That's why it's so important to recycle paper and give it a second life!

Is Recycled Paper Better For The Environment Than Virgin Paper?


Yes. Recycled papers help the environment in a number of ways:

  • Recycling helps preserve forests, reducing demand for wood
  • Recycling avoids accumulation of waste sites and incinerators, which generate C02 emissions.
  • Recycling lengthens the lifespan of the paper, since fibres can be recycled 4 to 5 times.

How Do We Make Products Like Cocoon 100% So White And Bright If We Don’t Use Chlorine?

The recycled pulp production process uses a multi stage cleaning process. It uses biodegradable cleaners and chlorine free bleaches.

Sodium Hydrosulphite, a reductive bleach, is used to remove colour form from the fibres and Hydrogen Peroxide; an oxidative bleach, is used to brighten the fibres. It's a sustainable process, for example the Hydrogen Peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen upon disposal. This leads to a high quality and white recycled pulp, so very limited quantities of optical brightening agents are added to enhance the whiteness and brightness of the paper. Although the de-inking process uses water and chemicals, it is still less harmful to the environment than the manufacturing process of making paper from virgin fibre. The result is a paper with a whiteness of 150CIE produced with the environment very much in mind.

These facts contain information based on Arjowiggins own manufacturing levels and techniques and are subject to change.