Paper industry investing more in research for viable alternative uses for waste paper
Do your part and help recyclers by saving your recyclable waste separately.
We often become annoyed with recyclers pulling their carts in the middle of the road.
Some of them go through our refuse, looking for material to sell.
According to data collected by the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pamsa), more than 12 million tons of paper and paper packaging have been recovered in South Africa for recycling during the past decade.
The overall paper collection rate in 2018 of 71.7 per cent is comparable with the most successful countries globally.
This helps to decrease the amount of waste paper diverted to landfill.
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South Africa recycles up to 90 per cent of its recovered waste paper locally into paper packaging, serving the agricultural, manufacturing and retail sectors.
Pamsa’s producer responsibility organisation, Fibre Circle, has earmarked R2-million for research and development of alternate and innovative uses for waste paper.
Fibre Circle aims to broaden the scope and use of recovered paper through extended producer responsibility (EPR).
The programme seeks to support the establishment of infrastructure and alternative systems to support the collection and reprocessing of recyclables.
“In line with the circular economy, we have to work together to develop new paper-based solutions to prevent valuable and usable fibre going to landfill and ensure it is turned into value,” says Francois Marais, manager of Fibre Circle.
“This will require exploring novel material substitutions.”
“There is also a socio-economic imperative.
“We cannot afford to see the fruits of 10 years of entrepreneur training and SMME creation come to nothing,” says Marais.
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“We have to adjust to a new normal. We need to reduce the amount of packaging we consume and find innovative uses for waste paper, beyond cardboard boxes.”
Wood-based fibre, which includes paper and board, is a greener and renewable alternative to fossil-based materials. Made from farmed trees, wood and paper store carbon in their fibres.
Wood and paper, essentially cellulose, are also versatile.
“Sending it to landfill is just not an option,” says Marais.
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