Paper recycling: what happens to your print
Paper is one of the most recycled materials in Europe. Find out how it is recycled, how many times fibres can be reused, and how to make your print easy to recycle.
One of the most recycled materials there is
Around seven in ten paper products used in Europe are recycled, putting paper among the most recycled materials on the continent. Most households and businesses in the UK can recycle paper and card in their standard collections.
How paper gets recycled
Collected paper is sorted, mixed with water and broken down into pulp. Inks and contaminants are removed, and the cleaned fibres are pressed and dried into new paper or card.
Paper fibres can typically be recycled several times before they become too short to use. Fresh fibre from well-managed forests keeps the cycle going.
Making your print easy to recycle
Uncoated and silk papers recycle easily. Heavy plastic lamination, glitter and foil can make recycling harder, so use them only where they really add value.
Foamex boards and roller banners are not paper, so design them to last and reuse them event after event.
After your event
Leftover flyers and price lists can go straight in the paper recycling. Keep a few samples for your records and recycle the rest rather than sending it to general waste.