Design for recyclability and the avoidance of waste: the case of printed paper in Germany

Abstract

This paper discusses the generation of process waste in printed paper recycling and some factors affecting the amount of de‐inking waste. The effects on waste generation by paper grades, which are designed for improved recyclability, are pointed out. The amount of waste generated is considered as the improvement in recyclability. This corresponds to a reduction in the use of materials that cannot be recycled, which, in the case of paper means lowering their mineral content. Two scenarios of a dynamic model of the fluxes of printed paper in Germany between 1993 and 2000 are used to analyse the amount of waste generated. No product changes are assumed in the first scenario, whereas improved recyclability in the form of less non‐recyclable materials is presumed in the second scenario. Results show that improved product recyclability would produce around 800000 tonnes less waste annually by the year 2000.

Environmentally conscious manufacturing and product recovery (ECMPRO): A review of the state of the art

“…CHAMP involves the evaluation of a design for both economic and environmental impacts on a life cycle basis. Pento (1999) shows that improved recyclability of paper reduces the amount of waste generated. The DFR methodology proposed by Ferrao and Amaral (2006) allows for the identification of economically optimum recycling strategies while satisfying given recycling and reuse rates.…”

Estimation of Weight of Solid Waste: Newspapers in Hong Kong Hotels

“…It was found that the total weight of all distributed newspapers in this hotel sector in 2002 was 1,512,372 kilograms (kg). Using the rule of thumb established by Pento (1999), the weight of sludge produced would be one half of this estimated weight of waste newspaper. Among these 12 newspapers, the South China Morning Post had the largest number as well as the highest weight of newspapers.…”

“…Currently, old newspapers in hotels are collected and transported to cross-border Pearl River Delta areas' factories for recycling. Nevertheless, recycling is not a once-and-forall means to solve newspaper waste because recycling produces another solid waste sludge during the de-inking process (Pento, 1999). Pento's (1999) model indicates that de-inking sludge was about one half of printed paper in Germany.…”

“…Nevertheless, recycling is not a once-and-forall means to solve newspaper waste because recycling produces another solid waste sludge during the de-inking process (Pento, 1999). Pento's (1999) model indicates that de-inking sludge was about one half of printed paper in Germany. Thus, the existing recycling method is just a mitigating measure due to the formation of derivative waste sludge.…”