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Recycle – the possibilities are endless, promises the latest government backed TV advertisements. These days, it is hard to escape from recycling, with various initiatives running at work and at home.

Green awareness generated by these initiatives has, in turn, helped to boost the amount of recycled paper products available to customers. And the strong demand for general recycled paper has now moved into ancillary products, according to Nick Brown, recycled product manager for James McNaughton.

“We are being asked for digital papers, large-format papers, envelopes and self-adhesive grades with recycled content,” explains Brown. There was a time when recycled products were off-white or even grey in appearance, but now customers are demanding better choices.

“The market consists of a more demanding and better-informed user who will not compromise on recycled quality or appearance,” adds Angela De Vorchik, UK and Ireland operational marketing manager at Arjowiggins.

Waste research
Research by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap) revealed that most UK print and paper buyers will increase their use of recycled content and more than two thirds of respondents (67%) said they planned to boost their recycled procurement.

But there remain doubts as to whether the UK will be able to cope with such a rise in demand for recycled stock. The lack of recycled paper production and the price gap between virgin and recycled stock will inevitably have an impact.

The availability of recycled fibre is a growing concern, according to Brown. The UK has the lowest rate for collection and recycling of domestic paper and board waste in Europe.

Regardless of availability issues, buyers are becoming more demanding. “Buyers are asking pertinent and detailed questions about paper, not only in terms of the traceability and sustainability of virgin wood fibre (e.g. FSC or PEFC certification) and the percentage of recycled content, but also the carbon footprint and possible carbon neutrality,” says Philippa Charlton, marketing director for Robert Horne.

According to James McNaughton’s Brown, buyers should be wary of ‘greenwash’ and ask whether genuine post-consumer waste has been used, rather than mill broke/reused fibre. There is wealth of choice and the possibilities are endless.

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WHAT'S NEW IN… RECYCLED PAPER: 50% AND ABOVE
• Robert Horne has launched Revive 75 Special Silk with a minimum of 75% recovered fibre content. The paper has been enhanced to provide a smoother, sleeker finish suitable for high-quality print requirements
• James McNaughton has launched three products containing 50% recycled fibres: Era Gloss, which is 50% de-inked post-consumer recycled fibre and 50% virgin fibre; Gemini C1-S Recycled, a white one-sided, fully coated solid bleached sulphate board made from 50% de-inked post-consumer waste and 50% ECF pulp; and Take 2 Print – a 100% recycled post-consumer waste
• PaperCo launched a new business addition to its 9lives ‘born again’ range of recycled paper in January. The stock is manufactured by International Paper and is 100% post-consumer waste
• Last December, Arjowiggins aimed to grow its environmentally friendly paper portfolio by entering into negotiations to buy the 140,000-tonne-capacity Greenfield SAS de-inking mill from Canadian parent company Cascades