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PAPER MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: +27 (0) 11 803 5063
Fax: +27 (0) 11 803 6708
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PAMSA DOES NOT SELL, SUPPLY OR DISTRIBUTE PAPER PRODUCTS. PLEASE CONTACT OUR MEMBERS DIRECTLY FOR SUPPLY, QUOTATIONS OR SALES ENQUIRIES BY CLICKING HERE: Members

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Unit 4, Woodview Office Park
1 Humber Road
Woodmead, Sandton

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Rivonia 2128

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Latest News & Features

Paper industry encourages people to continue recycling amid challenging times

JOHANNESBURG – February 17, 2020 – More than 12 million tonnes of paper and paper packaging have been recovered for recycling in South Africa over the past decade. This, according to RecyclePaperZA, the country’s paper recycling association, has ensured that waste paper is diverted from landfill and recycled into new products – tissue products, newsprint and paper packaging for the agricultural, manufacturing and retail sectors.

In 2018, South Africa collected 71.7% of recoverable paper and packaging*, amounting to 1,285 million tonnes. “South Africa is in the enviable position of being able to use up to 90% of its recovered waste paper locally by recycling it into new paper, packaging and tissue,” says Anele Sololo, general manager of RecyclePaperZA. The balance of the waste paper is exported.

A difficult time for paper industry, but don’t stop recycling

Currently, the global paper recycling industry is faced with over-supply. “This means there is more waste paper available than there is use for it,” says Sololo. There are various economic factors at play, not least of which is China’s stricter requirement for cleaner waste imports since 2017. This means that around 30 million tonnes of waste paper from around the world needs to find a new home and use.

In South Africa, the severe drought in fruit-growing regions has had a knock-on effect on the paper packaging sector. “Corrugators produce less boxes for fruit with the result being that mills produce less paper which affects waste paper consumption rates,” explains Sololo.

“It is important to understand that collectors are paid for the recyclables they collect, and the higher the value of that recyclable, the more likely they are to collect it,” says Sololo. The lower demand in the market will effect a price drop as mills need to ensure they remain commercially viable, and unfortunately, this affects recycling collectors and traders.

The South African paper industry is, however, investing in research and development of alternative uses for recycled paper to ensure that recyclable paper and paperboard continues to be diverted from landfill and help improve demand for recycled paper fibre.

Different recycled paper products need different ingredients

On the home front, some citizens may be a little confused about why some types of paper – such as newspapers – are not wanted by collectors.

Just as chocolate cakes may differ slightly in terms of their ingredients, so too does paper. Printing paper, tissue, cardboard boxes, paper bags and sacks all require different types and quantities of raw materials. “The difference in paper recipes may even be customer-specific which makes papermaking an exact science,” says Sololo.

Historically newspapers were required as a raw material for newsprint manufacturing. The declining newspaper consumption, largely due to online media, has resulted in the closure of newsprint machines in South Africa, leaving only one operational newsprint machine. “In 2011, South Africa produced 316,725 tonnes of newsprint,” says Sololo, adding that in 2018, the annual newsprint production was less than half the 2011 figure at 113,912 tonnes. This, in turn, has reduced the demand for used newspapers by paper mills.

Newspapers are still used in the manufacture of moulded fibre products such as egg cartons, takeaway cup holders and fruit trays. “This is where brand owners and retailers can help make a difference – by moving from plastic to paper for their packaging,” notes Sololo. A classic example are polystyrene vegetable and fruit trays – these can be made effectively from paper pulp.

Some grades of paper are in higher demand than others. As an example, there is more use for white paper as it requires less deinking and cleaning than newspapers and magazines. White paper also contains better quality fibres for “paper recipes”.

 

Paper industry encourages people to continue recycling amid challenging times
Paper industry encourages people to continue recycling amid challenging times

What are the various types of paper recycled into?

  • White office paper is made from certified, sustainably produced virgin wood fibre, especially if it is made in South Africa. White paper, which contains good quality fibre, is recycled into tissue products and is also added to the other paper recipes.
  • Brown cardboard boxes are repulped into new cardboard boxes and brown kraft paper which in turn can also be converted into sacks and bags.
  • Liquid packaging board (beverage cartons and paper cups) comprises long, strong virgin fibre, also from sustainably managed forests, which is a great ingredient for paper products that require strength. The plastic and foil layers in liquid packaging board are separated from the paper in the recycling process and can be used in a range of applications such as plastic garden furniture.
  • Common or mixed papers (cereal and dry food cartons, coloured paper, magazines, toilet roll cores) are classified by the industry as “common mixed waste”. These go into recipes for various paper products even tissue – if the mill has a deinking plant.

What should we do with “old news”?

Fortunately, newspaper is very versatile and can be used for many things. Here are our top five but you can find a more comprehensive list on www.recyclepaper.co.za.

  1. Animal shelters – donate your old newspapers to animal shelters who will use them to line the kennels and catteries.
  2. Compost and worm farms – earthworms love a tasty snack of newspaper. Add dampened, shredded newspaper to your compost heap or worm farm.
  3. Fruit and vegetable drawer liners – place sheets of newspaper at the bottom of the fruit and vegetable drawer in your fridge. They will absorb any mess from rotten produce, and will also keep the drawer free from odours.
  4. Gift wrap – use newspaper to wrap gifts and decorate with some string and sprig of rosemary or lavender.
  5. Table padding – lay newspaper underneath a table cloth. It’s an excellent replacement for expensive padding and will help protect your table from spills and other damage.

Where should I take my paper recycling

In November last year, Mpact Recycling, a RecyclePaperZA member, announced the discontinuation of its kerbside collection programme. While we recognise that this causes inconvenience to a number of its loyal supporters, there are other options available:

  1. Visit recyclepaper.co.za – Check out our “Where to recycle” page for some useful links.
  2. Support your neighbourhood recycling collectors – find out what they collect and put this in a separate bag for them. You may opt to support the same person each week or simply put a bag out on your pavement on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  3. Support a school or community centre under the Mpact Recycling paper bank programme. The company is in the process of upgrading some of its sites so separation is key: white paper in one bag, cardboard in one bag, beverage cartons in one bag, cereal boxes, coloured paper and where applicable magazines in one bag. Look for your nearest paper bank here.
  4. Support recycling collection businesses which offer a paid service. Do a web search for “recycling collection services” for your area.
  5. Explore your local shopping centre and find out if they have a recycling zone.

So keep up with those recycling efforts! And keep your paper clean and dry, and separate from other waste.

* Recoverable paper excludes paper which is unrecoverable or unsuitable for recycling. For example, toilet tissue and sanitary products, cigarette paper and archive material.

Paper industry encourages people to continue recycling amid challenging times
Paper industry encourages people to continue recycling amid challenging times
Paper industry encourages people to continue recycling amid challenging times
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From us to you, we wish you a blessed break howeve From us to you, we wish you a blessed break however you will be celebrating. Be safe. Thank you for your support in 2020. See you on the flip side.
It's #WorldToiletDay. Next time you flush, give th It's #WorldToiletDay. Next time you flush, give thanks. Some 4.2 billion people are currently living without access to safely managed sanitation. While you're at it, give thanks for #toiletpaper too.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Hands up who has a pile of books this high next to Hands up who has a pile of books this high next to their bed?  What's at the top?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It's Friday. Remember, now is not the time for wil It's Friday. Remember, now is not the time for wild rumpus. Wear your mask. Keep your distance. Wash those hands! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re b “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” – A.A. Milne⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Here's wishing the Matric Class of 2020 all the best as they write their exams around the country. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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What are we reading and drinking today? #sundayvib What are we reading and drinking today? #sundayvibes #reading #tea #coffee #rainyday #rainysunday #books

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The humble #egg carton was invented in 1911 by new The humble #egg carton was invented in 1911 by newspaper editor Joseph Coyle of Smithers, British Columbia, Canada, to solve a dispute between a local farmer and hotel owner in Aldermere, near present-day Telkwa, over the farmer's eggs' often being delivered broken. 🥚

#thepaperstory
#history 
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“The earth laughs in flowers.” ― Ralph Wald “The earth laughs in flowers.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

#thursdaymotivation #thepaperstory #eggboxcrafts #papercrafting #papercrafts #paper #recycledpaper
When we begin to see plantation forests as tree fa When we begin to see plantation forests as tree farms or crops, we can appreciate the products, economic and environmental service they provide. Sustainable forestry ensures that the renewable resource of wood is produced responsibly. 

Watch our video. Link in bio. 

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Wood. There is no rival. What other material encou Wood. There is no rival. What other material encourages sustainable forestry, #tree planting and #carbon storage? 

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What's your favourite #magazine title? Do you have What's your favourite #magazine title? Do you have volumes of them stashed away? 

#print #magazines #printing #publishing #thepaperstory #paper
It’s #internationalprintday. Did you know that w It’s #internationalprintday. Did you know that we are printing less and this has unintended consequences on the economy and the environment? Link in bio. 

#print #paper #sustainable #printisnotdead #paperisgreater #paperisgreen #environment #earth #economy #ipd20
Do you feel guilty about printing? You shouldn't. Do you feel guilty about printing? You shouldn't. 

By using South African produced paper, you can be assured that it comes from sustainably farmed trees. The trees used to make this paper have been replaced by new trees. And always recycle your paper. It is used to make tissue and packaging products!

#paper #print #officepaper #printing #fsc #sustainable #buylocal #supportlocalbusiness #whitepaper #thepaperstory #recycle
Moulded paper fibre keeps eggs cushioned, coffee f Moulded paper fibre keeps eggs cushioned, coffee from spilling over and electronic goods protected. These packaging products are made from recycled fibre so keep them in the recycling loop by keep your paper and boxes clean, dry and separate! ♻️

(Some collectors might not take these items for recycling but you can use these in compost, for planting seeds and for paper crafts.)

#packaging #packagingprotects #paperpackaging #paper #mouldedfibrepackaging #eggs #electonics #coffee #thepaperstory #recycleyourpaper
What are we reading today? Paper books still rule, What are we reading today? Paper books still rule, don't you think? 

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What are we baking this weekend? Whatever it is, t What are we baking this weekend? Whatever it is, think about how paper is part of your kitchen. It will be paper made from recycled fibre or from the wood of sustainably farmed trees. Now that's guilt-free baking! 

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🧻 Did you know that South African toilet paper 🧻 Did you know that South African toilet paper manufacturers make use of recycled office paper in many of their tissue recipes? 📄 Recycled white paper is a valuable grade for collectors so think before you throw. Keep it clean, dry and separate from other waste and recyclables. 

#tissue #toiletpaper #recycle #officepaper #paper #print #recyclethatpaper #thepaperstory
For the South African pulp and paper sector, respo For the South African pulp and paper sector, responsibly sourced woodfibre is a non-negotiable. 

This is why “Forests for All Together” - @fsc_international’s theme for this year’s #fscfriday - means so much. 

As a sector we are celebrating the importance of bringing people together to responsibly care for forests – from environmentalists to big business, from Indigenous Peoples to communities and governments, from forest workers to careful consumers, it is essential that we work together to care for our forests. 

Buy locally produced paper as far as possible and check the source. 

#forestryfriday #forestrylife #paper #pulp #fsc #sustainableforestry #environment
Are you a copy paper hoarder? Paper is a highly re Are you a copy paper hoarder? Paper is a highly recyclable product and helps the sector make new paper products that you use everyday: tissue and paper packaging. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#NationalRecyclingDay #sustainablepackaging #recyclablepackaging #paperpackaging #paper #recycle #pulp #earthkind #sustainability #reducewaste #woodfibre #circulareconomy #environment
Is it pizza night your house on Fridays? Did you k Is it pizza night your house on Fridays? Did you know that pizza boxes are recyclable? Just scrape of leftover cheese and crust and put into your recycling bin. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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