To protect forests and avoid CO₂-intensive import routes, the paper industry is increasingly turning to recycled paper. Conversations with our customers show that paper made from waste paper is now widely and readily used by consumers. Any concerns about whether its appearance and quality can match those of traditional virgin fibre papers are, fortunately, largely a thing of the past.
We’ll give you an overview of the facts, benefits and prejudices and take a closer look with you at the recycled papers from the Papier Direkt range:
Read more: Recycled paper: An overview on facts, benefits and prejudicesWhat is recycled paper and what is it made of?
Nowadays, many types of paper contain less virgin wood pulp and more so-called secondary fibres, which are obtained from recycled waste paper, cardboard and paperboard. This recycled content can vary. At Papier Direkt, we stock papers with a recycled content of between 30 and 100 per cent. The more waste paper is used in paper production, the more wood resources are conserved. Recycled paper made from 100 % waste paper is particularly environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Pre-consumer and post-consumer material
Waste paper, in the form of what is known as pre-consumer and post-consumer material, is used in the production of recycled paper. These two types of material originate from different stages of the paper life cycle.
What is pre-consumer material in paper production?
Pre-consumer material comprises paper waste that is generated during paper processing but never reaches the end consumer. This waste can consist of trimmings, rejects and surplus materials from paper mills and printing companies. The material comes directly from industrial production. The end consumer has not used it, so it is generally very clean. It requires little cleaning or processing before being reintroduced into the production process. Pre-consumer material is therefore easier and more cost-effective to recycle.
What is post-consumer material in paper production?
Post-consumer material consists of paper products that have reached the end of their life cycle with the end consumer and have subsequently been disposed of. These include, for example, newspapers, magazines, office paper and packaging materials collected in waste paper containers. Post-consumer material is particularly valuable for recycling, as it comes from the waste stream and reduces the amount of rubbish through its reuse. However, processing post-consumer material is more labour-intensive. It is usually more heavily soiled than pre-consumer material and may contain contaminants such as ink, adhesive and other foreign substances. The recycling process therefore requires additional steps for cleaning and processing.
Pre-consumer and post-consumer materials are essential for the production of recycled paper and help to conserve natural resources. Pre-consumer material is the simpler and more cost-effective source of recycling. Post-consumer material offers the greatest environmental benefit, as it is used more than once by the end consumer and helps to reduce waste. Combining both types of material makes it possible to produce high-quality recycled paper that is both environmentally and economically beneficial.
Recycled paper is better than its outdated reputation
Recycled paper is not only particularly sustainable, but its quality has improved to such an extent that it is now entirely comparable to virgin fibre paper. Nevertheless, some consumers still harbour old preconceptions. It is sometimes still assumed that recycled paper is less durable, less white or more expensive than virgin fibre paper.
However, it has long been proven that recycled paper generally has a lifespan of around 100 years and is therefore in no way inferior to other types of paper. The same applies to brightness: recycled paper is available in brightness levels ranging from 60 to 150. In any case, from an environmental perspective, paper should always be chosen to be only as white as necessary, as higher levels of whiteness require more complex processing steps for any type of paper.
Price is not a factor against recycled paper either. On average, it now costs no more than virgin fibre paper. At a whiteness of 100, recycled paper is around 10 per cent more expensive, whilst papers with a whiteness of 90 cost roughly the same. At brightness levels of 70 and 80, DIN A4 recycled papers are even 5–10 per cent cheaper than comparable virgin fibre papers.
Focus on sustainability
Using recycled paper demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and environmental protection.
By choosing to do so, you are helping to conserve resources and supporting the circular economy.
The paper industry does not rely solely on the processing and reuse of waste paper. Environmental impact is also reduced by optimising other factors.
Water
Water is a key process material in paper production. At the beginning of the 20th century, the demand for fresh water was extremely high. Thanks to water recycling and closed-loop water systems, the modern paper industry now saves more than 90 per cent of the water quantities previously required. The production of recycled paper requires considerably less water than the manufacture of virgin fibre paper.
Bleaching
Since the late 1980s, elemental chlorine has no longer been used for bleaching paper in Germany and many other countries. Elemental chlorine caused the formation of environmentally harmful substances that are difficult to break down. Instead, ECF bleaching (elemental chlorine-free) and TCF bleaching (totally chlorine-free) are used. ECF bleaching utilises chlorine dioxide, which is less harmful to the environment, whilst TCF bleaching completely avoids the use of chlorine compounds and uses harmless oxygen compounds.
Reuse of resources
The efficient use and recovery of resources used is also a key factor in achieving greater sustainability. Energy released during the combustion of waste materials is used to generate steam. Chemical residues are converted back into process chemicals through recovery processes. Organic waste from paper production is processed into compost and used as fertiliser in agriculture. Many paper mills also generate part of the electricity they require themselves.
Did you know? The Modellfabrik Papier demonstrates the German paper industry’s commitment to sustainability. In the ‘paper town’ of Düren (where we at Papier Direkt are also based), a research centre is being established for a nationwide innovation network, in which leading companies from the paper and supplier industries have joined forces with partners from the scientific community. The aim: to reduce energy consumption in paper production by 80 per cent and make paper manufacturing in Germany climate-neutral by 2045.
The Model Paper Mill is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
How to recognise recycled paper – Environmental certificates & labels
The environmental credentials of recycled paper are highlighted by special labels. The best way to recognise paper made from 100 per cent recycled paper is by looking for the FSC® Recycled label and the Blue Angel eco-label.
Recycled paper at Papier Direkt
To complete our overview, here is a brief introduction to the recycled papers made from 100 % recycled material in the Papier Direkt range:
Colorplan Extracted – Through-dyed recycled paper in 10 colours
25 % of the recycled material used in the production of Colorplan Extracted comes from reused disposable paper cups. This upcycling reduces waste and turns it into raw material for this impressive, 100 per cent sustainably produced paper.
The range comprises a total of 10 modern colours. You can buy Colorplan Extracted from us as 135 g/m² paper in DIN A4 format, as well as 270 g/m² card in DIN A4 and DIN A3 format. Matching Colorplan Extracted envelopes are available in 6 colours and 4 formats.
Countryside Pure – Fine recycled paper in 8 pastel shades
Countryside Pure is a recycled paper available in 8 finely coordinated pastel colours. This 100 per cent recycled paper combines uncompromising sustainability with exceptional colours. It impresses with its natural look and feel and offers excellent handling and printing properties. In the article ‘Countryside Pure recycled paper in 8 pastel colours’, we present this paper in detail.
You can order Countryside Pure recycled paper in 135 g/m² in DIN A4 format and as 270 g/m² card in DIN A4 and DIN A3. Matching DIN B6 envelopes for greeting cards, invitation cards and other stationery projects using this charming fine paper are available in the four popular colours: Blossom White, Almond Brown, Shell Pink and Pastel Blue.
Evercolor – Coloured recycled copy paper
If you’re looking for coloured recycled paper that offers excellent value for money, then Evercolor is the right choice for you. The 80 g/m² printing paper is available in six fresh, attractive colours.
If you’d like to buy Evercolor, you’ll find all six colours in both DIN A4 and DIN A3 format in the Papier Direkt online shop.
DCP Green – White printing paper made from 100 % recycled material
The special strength of DCP Green lies in its high whiteness of 135 CIE. This makes it exceptionally white for a fully recycled paper. The high whiteness and satin finish ensure prints of the highest quality. This makes DCP Green the perfect choice for eco-friendly printing in everyday office use.
You can buy DCP Green recycled printer paper from Papier Direkt with a grammage of 90 g/m² and 100 g/m², available in both DIN A4 and DIN A3 formats.
Kraft Paper – Distinctive recycled paper with a natural character
This paper proudly showcases its recycled origins. The brown hue and rough texture give it a slightly rustic, impressive look, through which Muskat Kraft Paper conveys 100 per cent sustainability.
If you’d like to order Muskat Kraft Paper, you’ll find a wide selection in the Papier Direkt online shop. As well as Kraft Paper sheets in 3 grammages and 3 formats, there are Kraft Paper cards in 3 types and Kraft Paper envelopes in 6 formats.
So, what do you think? How did you like the overview?
Do you see yourselves using (more) recycled paper in future?
If you’re keen for more stuff to read, we’d recommend the blog post ‘7 sustainable papers – environmentally friendly and versatile’. Where, alongside recycled papers made from 100 per cent waste paper, we introduce you to three sustainable papers that also offer environmental benefits thanks to eco-friendly production processes or the use of alternative raw materials.
All content is produced by our specialist writers and edited before publication.
