Reuse & Recycling

Recycled paper fibres are re-used on average 3.8 times, and this can be up to 7 times ^[1]. In fact, over 70% of fibres used to make paper in the UK are recycled ^[2]. Paper is not only recycled into new paper but also into other products from egg boxes, animal bedding or insulation material ^[3].

Reuse and Recycling are at the heart of the circular economy

Reuse is a repeated use of a product or component for its intended purpose, avoiding landfill and eliminating waste. For mail, this can refer to the re-use of many products within the mail process, such as ink cartridges, trays, mail bags and elastic bands. Recycling is a transformation of a product or component into its basic materials or substances and reprocessing them into new materials.

For mail, this relates to the recycling of paper fibres, which can be recycled many times within the paper materials used for mail packs, until the point that they are no longer strong enough to provide the quality needed. Take a look at the figures and targets for paper recycling.

In Europe, on average, 74% of paper is recycled⁴ and paper fibres are typically recycled and reused on average 3.8 times¹.

Jonathan Tame, Managing Director, Two Sides

Your letter has value also after it has done its work: if not archived it is a valuable raw material to be recycled into new paper. The European paper industry is a circularity champion and as a true champion raising the bar, our goal is recycling 76% of all paper placed on the market by 2030. To reach this, every letter counts.

Jori Ringman, Director General, CEPI

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Reuse & Recycling

The Four R's

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