Paper Recycling

Paper is one of the most common wastes produced by businesses. In an office based business an average worker can produce around 35kg of paper per year equivalent to 14 reams of copier paper or 7000 individual sheets.

Paper is easy to recycle and can be made into a variety of new products such as office paper, notebooks and kitchen roll. Up to 75% of newspaper content is now printed onto recycled paper.

Paper recycling does not incur landfill tax; by recycling paper your business could see a visible reduction in the waste going into the general waste bin which in turn should show a decrease in your waste disposal costs.

Perth & Kinross Council offers a Kerbside Paper Recycling Service. This service started in 2004 as a pilot scheme and today the paper recycling vehicle collects an estimated 5 tonnes of paper every week from businesses throughout Perth and Kinross.

Paper, including brochures, newspapers, magazines, office quality paper and the contents of junk mail, can be placed into blue-lidded wheeled bins and put out at the kerbside on the relevant day for collection. The paper is then transferred to a paper mill where it is recycled into newsprint and other paper products.

Recycling you businesses paper also makes environmental sense saving resources, energy and reducing the risk of climate change. For example recycling one tonne of paper can save around 3000 - 4000 KWh electricity (enough for an average 3 bedroom house for one year). It can also save up to 17 trees and 32,000 litres of water which is equivalent to nearly 500 washing machine cycles.

To find out more about paper recycling for your business call the Environment Services Helpline on 01738 476476.