Follow That Paper

What's Up?

Where does the paper go when you put it out to the curb for recycling?  Does it really get recycled or does it just go into a landfill or get burned?  Explore the path that recycled paper takes.

Idea

Follow That Paper

After paper is collected, it is sent to a Recycling center or a Material Recovery Facility.  Paper clips, staples, and other containment's, are removed.  It is then baled and sent to a paper mill for processing.  The paper is shredded into a fiber and then water is added to make paper pulp.  The pulp is then used to make paper.  The process of paper making is the same whether or not you use recycled paper.

How Does It Help?

Landfills

It takes trash that filled landfills and uses it to make new paper products.  Did you know that for every ton of paper recycled it saves more than 3.3 cubic feet of landfill space.

Natural Resources

Reduces the amount of natural resources needed in the process of paper making.  Currently over 36% of new paper in the US comes from recycled paper pulp.

Explore the Process

This website gives an excellent pictorial view of the entire process:

http://paperrecycles.org/workplace_recycling/curb_to_consumer/index.html

Parent(s)

Recycle in your own home.  Help your kids identify products in your home that come from recycled paper.  For example, cereal boxes, cracker boxes, etc.

As a fun day trip, visit a local recycling center for a tour and end it with their favorite snack at a local restaurant.

Did You Know?

By 2012, the goal is to recycle 60% of all paper used.  Currently, the US recycles approximately 56% of all paper used.  This about 360 pounds per person in the US.  So if we commit to recycling one more pound of paper person, we can reach this goal.