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RECYCLING: PACKAGE PRODUCTS

BROWN PAPER GRADES

In some instances, either due to distance from a suitable recycling mill or through contamination with significant quantities of plastic, it may not be possible to recycle paper cups into high quality white paper products, such as facial tissues or household paper towels.

In these circumstances, we believe that the benefit of the fibre quality can still be retained and the fibre could be used in mills producing 'brown' grades, such as brown household or commercial towels, wrapping paper, or 'fluting; for use in the manufacture of corrugated cardboard. The inherent strength of the 'near virgin fibre' quality is a welcome addition in paper mills which are typically using old cardboard (OCC). The old cardboard most likely has already been recycled several times already, and the introduction of the paper cups can help improve the quality of the product.

We are devloping a series of trials where the benefits of this strategy could be determined and we intend to establish this as an ongoing option during 2009/2010.

MOULDED PULP PRODUCTS

Paper is becoming increasingly used as an alternative to expanded polystyrene foam for certain types of packaging, such as food trays, while white goods such as dishwashers and washing machines are being protected during transit by 'moulded' pulp instead of plastic foam. Moulded pulp packaging is basically a bulky and dense paper shaped so that it can absorb energy very efficiently and has the added advantage of being more easily recycled than plastic foam. Computer aided design maximizes the ability of the moulded pulp packaging to absorb impacts and protect the goods.

The high quality fibre from discarded paper cups is potentially an excellent source of fibre for this purpose that could add strength and tear resistance to the packaging.