Paper / Cardboard Recycling in Singapore
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
What is Paper Recycling?
In 2023, Singapore generated 1.251 million tonnes of paper waste, but only 31% (387 thousand tonnes) was recycled.
Recycling paper provides a valuable source of paper fibers. Using recycled paper fibers to create new sheets of paper decreases the demand for virgin paper, thus reducing the number of trees cut down. Additionally, incorporating recycled fibers helps conserve natural resources and promotes sustainability.
However, each time paper is recycled, its fibers break down further, eventually becoming too short and weak to form new paper. Therefore, we constantly need to add new virgin fibers to the system to produce certain paper products. Today’s new fibers will become tomorrow’s recycled fibers. For example, office papers can transform into cartons, cartons can become newspapers, and newspapers can turn into tissue papers. It is crucial to segregate paper into different categories to maximise the number of times it can be recycled.
Types of Papers We Recycle
- Old Corrugated Cartons (OCC)
- Black and White Paper (BW)
- Magazines (MA)
- Old Newspapers (ONP)
Among the various types of scrap paper, Black and White (BW) paper holds the highest value, followed by Old Corrugated Cartons (OCC), Old Newspapers (ONP), and Magazines (MA).
Old Corrugated Cartons (OCC)
In terms of volume, Cardboards/Old Corrugated Cartons (OCC) is the most widely recycled. It is usually recycled into other “brown” products, including paperbags and egg trays.
Black and White Paper (BW)
Black White (BW) paper refers to white papers with black or minimal color print. Because of the longer fiber length and minimal bleaching agents required, BW paper is considered the highest grade and fetches the highest value.
Old Newspapers (ONP)
Old Newspapers (ONP) are considered a lower grade paper, and are generally recycled to make more newsprints.
Magazines (MA)
Magazines and catalogues can be recycled despite its coated appearance. With modern recycling methods, the clay coat, which gives the smooth texture, can be removed.
Always remove attachments and contaminants from the recyclables, as these lower the value of recyclables.
Our Paper Recycling Process
The process of paper recycling often involves:-
- Collection of papers.
- Next, sorting the collected papers into different categories.
- After sorting, the papers are compacted and baled.
- As there are no paper pulping facilities in Singapore, these paper bales are exported overseas to be pulped.
- The paper is mixed with water and chemicals to break it down into pulp. Subsequently, the pulp is strained through screens to remove adhesives and contaminants, cleaned, de-inked, bleached to improve whiteness and purity, and finally pressed and rolled, ready to be made into new paper products.
