Image showing used paper and card

What is saved when paper is recycled

Not only is 40% less energy required to manufacture recycled paper, water consumption is halved and wastewater is reduced by 35%.

Every tonne of recycled paper saves 3 square metres of landfill space, according to the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pamsa).

Recycled fibre reduces air emissions in papermaking by 70%. Carbon dioxide emissions are cut by 2.8 tonnes and sulphur dioxide by 10kg.

According to Pamsa, in 2021:

  • 2.31-million tonnes of paper and paper packaging were consumed in South Africa. Of that, 2.1-million tonnes were produced by South Africa, 760,000 tonnes were imported and 545,000 tonnes were exported.
  • South Africa recycled 1.15-million tonnes of paper and paper packaging, representing a paper recovery rate of 61.4%. This is a 9% drop on the previous year, and lower than the five-year average paper recovery rate of about 70%.

The decrease can be attributed to Covid-disrupted supply chains as well as to a shift in the economy and buying trends, the association said in its media release.

Recycling paper not only saves energy and landfill space, but it also eases the burden on local authorities in terms of costs of collection and landfill management.

Make a start

To make something a habit, you just need to make a start. RecyclePaper ZA shares these three tips

  • Keep paper separate from wet waste. Get a bin or box for paper and keep it in a convenient spot
  • Get to know your recyclables. Copy paper, magazines, flyers and newspapers; cereal, medicine and egg boxes, cardboard boxes and juice and milk cartons are all recyclable.
  • Have it collected or drop it off. Support a collector, sign-up to a collection programme or find a drop-off point near you.

Notebook

Comments

One response to “What is saved when paper is recycled”

  1. M Chrich Avatar
    M Chrich

    Where in port Elizabeth, South Africa is a recycle depot where I can drop off newspapers and bottles

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