How the paper recycling industry finds its place in the digital era

As more of our lives move online, from emails to e-books and digital receipts, it’s no surprise that the demand for traditional paper has taken a dip.

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But what does this digital shift mean for the paper recycling industry, a sector that’s long relied on steady streams of office paper, newspapers, and printed materials?

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Let’s take a look at how recyclers are adjusting to the changing landscape.

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A decline in office paper, a rise in cardboard

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With businesses relying more on cloud storage and remote work becoming the norm, there’s simply less paper being used in offices. As a result, the volume of high-grade, white paper available for recycling has dropped significantly.

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At the same time, the boom in e-commerce has led to a surge in cardboard packaging, especially corrugated boxes. These materials are now a major part of what recycling centers handle, and many facilities have shifted their operations to process more of this “brown” paper.

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Quality matters more than ever

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With fewer clean, uniform paper types in the mix, recyclers face new challenges in maintaining the quality of their materials. Contaminants like food residue or mixed materials, for example, plastic windows on envelopes, can impact the recycling process.

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To keep standards high, many facilities are investing in better sorting technologies, including AI and automation, to identify and separate recyclable paper more efficiently.

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How technology can help

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Interestingly, while digital tech has reduced the amount of paper we use, it’s also helping recyclers operate more efficiently. From smart routing for collection trucks to digital tracking systems that monitor recycling loads, the industry is getting a digital upgrade of its own. These tools help reduce waste, lower costs, and improve transparency across the supply chain.

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Things you could do everyday to contribute to the industry

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Even with the shift to digital, recycling paper and cardboard remains important. Here are a few tips to help:

• Break down boxes to save space and make collection easier
  
  
• Keep recyclables clean and dry as wet or food contaminated paper can’t be processed
  
  
• Stick to accepted materials and check local guidelines to avoid contamination
  
  

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The paper recycling industry is adapting. As the types of materials change, so do the methods and technologies used to collect and process them.

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Going digital hasn’t made paper recycling obsolete, it’s just changed what gets recycled and how. The industry is evolving, and it’s more connected to our digital lives than ever before.

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