1.3 Recycling of Paper and Card

Question 1

Why are laminated products hard to recycle?

Answer 1

Because the plastic layers need separating from the paper fibres

Question 2

Why are laminated products not usually biodegradable?

Answer 2

Because these added layers and coatings are difficult for bacteria and other living organisms to digest

Question 3

Up to how many times can newspaper be recycled?

Answer 3

Up to 6 times, after that the fibres become too short to bind together

Question 4

What are the advantages of recycling paper?

Answer 4

• It uses 40-70% less energy to make recycled paper than it does making it from trees
• Produces 73% less air pollution
• Less is sent to landfill meaning fewer greenhouse gas emissions

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of recycling paper?

Answer 5

• Recycled paper is not as strong as virgin paper which limits its range of uses
• Chemicals such as bleach are still used to whiten recycled pulp