Collection Systems and Sorting of Recovered Paper

There is no reliable basic collection data available in most countries owing to the large number and various sizes of organisations involved in the collection of recovered paper. Normally, collection volumes are therefore calculated through recovered paper consumption and trade statistics. There are great differences in collection volumes and collection rates between countries. A few countries collect the main share of all recovered paper, globally. In 2006, the 13 most important countries collected 78% of all recovered paper, globally. These countries include the USA, Japan, China and Germany, which together collected 55% of all recovered paper globally. The collection of recovered paper is performed by (i) collection in private households and small commercial enterprises, (ii) collection from industrial and business operations sites where unwrapping is performed, offices, authorities and administration and (iii) returns of recovered paper from converting facilities such as printing houses and corrugated board industry and over-issues. Depending on the origin of the collected recovered paper, a clear difference exists between pre- and post-consumer recovered paper. Paper recyclers are developing new technologies designed to handle, identify and separate paper grades for recycling. One enhancement technology allows segregation of paper fibres during the recycling process according to fibre length, coarseness and stiffness through a sequential centrifuging and screening process. This chapter describes different types of collection systems, sorting, handling and storage of recovered paper.