Office Paper Grades For Recycling

All office paper collection programs have one common element – the separation of recyclable office
paper from waste materials and contaminants at the source. Program options range from sorting multiple
grades of paper to a simple mixed paper system. Some programs concentrate on sorting out the higher
value grades of paper. such as white ledger and computer paper. Other offices prefer a mixed paper program, which diverts a greater volume of the office waste stream. The character of the paper generated, the location and size of your office, the willingness of employees to participate, the capacity of storage areas and accessibility of pickup locations, and – most importantly – the availability of end markets are factors that will determine the structure of the program most suitable for your office. iSustain Recycling will help you to design a program that works best for your office.

One of the first things you need to consider is the types of paper used in your office. If you are unfamiliar with some of the terms, definitions of common office paper grades, iSustain Recycling will consult you on all the information and every step of the paper recycling process.

Computer paper

Also known as CPO (computer print out). Continuous paper printed on an impact printer, usually solid white, including blue— or green-lined, pin-feed printer paper printer is untreated and uncoated. Does not include laser—printed paper.

White Ledger

Most white office paper in single sheets or continuous forms, including white computer paper, copy paper, letterhead, white notebook paper and ledger paper.

Colored Ledger

Same as white ledger, only paper is colored.

File-stock

A specialty grade of mixed office type papers that is derived from discarded files. These may come from offices, records Storage, records storage,archives, libraries, ere. Mostly white and colored ledger but may also include carbonless paper, bleached file folders, paper clips, binders, etc.

Mixed

A mixture of various grades of recyclable paper not limited by fiber content and includes most types of clean and dry paper including glossy, white ledger and computer papers, newspapers, magazines, catalogs, phone books, cards, laser-printed white ledger, windowed envelopes, sticky notes, and often contains corrugated and brown paper.

Newspaper

Also known as ONP (Old Newspaper), is used primarily for making newsprint, corrugated or folding boxes.

Corrugated

Also known as OCC (Old Corrugated Cartons). It is used for shipping containers and is manufactured from a fluted paperboard, called corrugating medium, sandwiched between two paper-boards called linerboard.

NOTE: Contaminants can significantly reduce the market value of your recyclable paper. Remember, you need to keep certain items out of your recyclable paper: food and beverage containers (bottles, carts, plastic cups, polystyrene, aluminum, food wrappers, etc.), food waste, restroom waste, and carbon. Check with your recycler to find out what other materials are unacceptable in your recycling program such as adhesives and window envelopes.

Now that you are familiar with the terms for the different types of office paper, you can get a general idea of the types and amounts of paper available in your office for recycling by:

• Visually surveying the contents of your waste bins;
• Identifying the number employees- that your program will encompass;
• Identifying any large volume generators such as a computer room or an in-house print shop;
• Determining the Current volume and frequency of waste pickup.

NOTE: ln starting an office recycling program, a common tendency is to focus on business papers. However, newspapers and corrugated may comprise a significant portion of your office waste stream and should also be collected for recycling. You may also want to add glass, toner cartridges, aluminum and plastics to your office’s recycling program.

iSustain recycling professionals have an intimate knowledge of the paper recycling business, and each one of them has decades of hands-on experience.  To start developing an office paper recycling program for your company, just contact us today.