Paper Recycling

Paper Recycling

Paper is one of the most common types of waste in Singapore and 1.26 million tonnes of paper waste was generated in 2013. The recycling rate of paper is 54% in 2013, and most of this paper waste is sorted, baled and exported overseas for recycling as there are no paper recycling mills in Singapore.

Let’s take a closer look at paper recycling:

1. Types of Paper for Recycling

The different types of paper waste are collected and usually separated into the following categories for recycling.

  • Newspapers
  • Corrugated cardboard
  • Magazines
  • White office paper
  • Mixed paper

2. Why Recycle Paper

There are environmental benefits to paper recycling. According to Waste Online:

Producing recycled paper involves between 28 – 70% less energy consumption than virgin paper and uses less water. This is because most of the energy used in papermaking is the pulping needed to turn wood into paper.

Recycled paper produces fewer polluting emissions to air (95% of air pollution) and water. Recycled paper is not usually re-bleached and where it is, oxygen rather than chlorine is usually used. This reduces the amount of dioxins which are released into the environment as a by-product of the chlorine bleaching processes.

3. The Paper Recycling Process

At the paper recycling plant, sorted paper goes into a pulper where they are washed and screened to remove unwanted items like metals and plastics. The paper pulp then undergoes a floatation process to remove inks and adhesives. The resulting paper slurry is spread on wire meshes and drained of water using rollers to form sheets of paper.

Watch this animation video on the paper recycling process from RecycleBank:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWH1Mg8gdic

4. Recycled Paper Products

Paper waste such as white office paper, corrugated cartons and newspapers can be recycled back to its original use. Magazines, mixed paper, newspapers and corrugated cartons are recycled as cardboards, toilet papers, paper towels, egg cartons, kraft paper, etc.

Watch how toilet paper is made from recycled paper:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrg_6dny6Po

5. Paper Recycling in Singapore

In Singapore, about 1.26 million tonnes of paper waste was generated in 2013 and the recycling rate is 54%. Paper waste is usually collected through the recycling programmes and traditionally by the karang guni men, waste paper collectors and traders.

The paper waste are sorted by type, baled or placed in containers, and exported overseas for recycling as there are no paper recycling mills in Singapore.

6. Collectors, Traders and Recycling Companies for Paper

To find a recycling collector or someone who wants your paper waste, check out NEA’s list of collectors and traders.

7. What Can I Do

You can recycle paper through the various recycling programmes at home, in school and your office, or through the public recycling bins. But before you do so, remember to Reduce and Reuse your paper waste.

50 Comments

  • byPatrick
    Posted October 20, 2009 10:31 pm 0Likes

    Does anyone know what exactly the garanguni man does with the old newspaper? Will he trade it in for recycling?

    Cheers,

    Patrick

    • byEugene
      Posted October 21, 2009 10:53 am 0Likes

      Yes, they will sell the newspapers to a recycling collector for export

  • byAquene
    Posted October 23, 2009 9:57 am 0Likes

    Hi, I live around Joo Chiat area. The karang guni around here prefer to collect only newspaper. They reject corrugated paper carton and mixed paper waste (mostly junk mails). How can we find someone who is willing to collect all types of paper ?

    • byEugene
      Posted October 23, 2009 11:14 am 0Likes

      Hi Aquene, use the existing recycling programmes in your estate (if any), or use the public recycling bins located at most MRT stations and at housing estates (http://www.zerowastesg.com/our-initiatives/map-of-recycling-bins/).

      • byalec
        Posted November 15, 2014 8:14 pm 0Likes

        How do i get rid of my debit card/telco bill papers properly via recycling without compromising my details?

  • byAquene
    Posted October 24, 2009 10:35 am 0Likes

    Hi Eugene,

    I have 4 cartons of mixed paper waste at home waiting to be collected. I am not sure if I will be using up more fuel to bring these cartons to a nearby public recyclng bin or to wait for a willing karang guni.

    You see, I counted there are at least 3 to 4 different karang guni driving around the area in their lorries. By going around, they are also consuming fuel and emitting exhaust gas. Should there be just one so that here is no overlapping and waste ?

    May I suggest a new initiative: that we build a database of karang guni. We should help them to plan the area each of them serve, and probably the schedule and route to take. Resident can go to a website to indicate they have something to be collected so that the karang guni in that area will visit the house and collect.

    • byEugene
      Posted October 26, 2009 7:56 pm 0Likes

      Hi Aquene, the karang gunis are not regulated by NEA, which is why there can be multiple groups serving the same area. This also means it’s difficult to build a database when anyone can be a karang guni.

  • byYang yanjun
    Posted February 5, 2010 8:42 am 0Likes

    Hi, Eugene:
    My company wants to study use photocopy paper that made from recycled paper. And I tried to ask some paper suppliers, they do not have recycled paper made photocopy paper. So do you know any companies in Sigapore are selling photocopy paper that made from recycled paper.

    Thank you.

  • byYang yanjun
    Posted February 8, 2010 4:36 pm 0Likes

    Thanks, Eugene.

  • byAyuni
    Posted June 29, 2010 9:56 pm 0Likes

    Hello. Me and my friends joined a Clean and Green fashion competition. We decided to use only paper as our materials. Im just wondering, when we have cut and paste the papers (mostly white office and mahjong paper) and make it into a dress, can it still be recycled? And where can we get affordable plain white recycled papers for this project?

  • byMackenzie Ward
    Posted July 1, 2010 1:42 am 0Likes

    Recycling is very very important in order to preserve mother earth.`’`

  • byAvery Nelson
    Posted July 28, 2010 6:31 pm 0Likes

    we should always think about recycling our waste products to help the environment.~;~

  • byPatrick Low
    Posted August 31, 2010 3:21 pm 0Likes

    Hi Eugene, I am a Singaporean staying overseas. Just want to check do you have any ideas which are the company that are the recycling collector and will buy in the all the used news paper? And if I am interested in this business, where can I sell them too. Please advice.. Thanks

  • byLauren Wright
    Posted September 15, 2010 12:14 am 0Likes

    recycling is very important these days because we have lots of pollution..”

  • byjohnson
    Posted October 11, 2010 10:13 pm 0Likes

    hi, can anyone tell me where is the higher rate of selling old newspaper in singapore?? which place, i find the higher rate now at amk park 2, 0.26 cents per KG.

  • byCross Country Running Shoes 
    Posted October 14, 2010 5:10 am 0Likes

    recycling is very necessary so that we could reduce the waste that we dump on our environment;~’

  • byFerinaa
    Posted October 14, 2010 12:29 pm 0Likes

    I think is good to recyle paper.
    The way it works,is really amazing !
    I just can’t believe it..

  • byA.KATHIRAVAN
    Posted October 15, 2010 7:56 am 0Likes

    I want to export waste news paper to chennai.what i need to do
    how much 1ton.i need every months 100 to 200 tonns.pls advise me. i am singapore pr i am living in singaopre 14 years.

  • bySamuel
    Posted February 17, 2011 10:25 pm 0Likes

    Hi, my name is Samuel. Currently i’m planning to set up a business that collects unwanted papers and exports them to other countries that have papers recycling mills. I would like to ask some advice from you regarding the ways of exporting these waste papers. Thank!

  • byGoh Hay Leng
    Posted September 13, 2012 8:43 am 0Likes

    Hi, I am currently involve in the paper recycling programme in my company. I understand the rule requires company to engage a licensed collector, and to record the recycled quantity.
    It is o.k to give the paper to karang guni instead of licensed collector?

  • byTay wei kian
    Posted September 28, 2012 1:05 am 0Likes

    Any gd intro which recycle paper company got export to malaysia kl

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  • byCasline
    Posted December 17, 2012 2:18 pm 0Likes

    where do i need to sell the old newspaper or cans for cash?as for what i known is that karang guni man oni give a few cents.i want to earn more for my family

  • byvasanthi
    Posted February 1, 2013 3:20 pm 0Likes

    Hi,

    We have some A4,A3 & A1 papers & Carton boxes to sell it away…Will you be coming to collect to Kallang Stadium site office.

    If yes pls reply to my email.

    Thank you.

    Regards,
    Vasanthi

  • byAynul Kabir
    Posted February 3, 2013 11:06 am 0Likes

    Inquiry of various grades of Waste paper, Wood Pulp and Paper Stock lots.

    Dear Sirs,

    In Bangladesh we are one of a trading and procurement house of Waste paper and we are holding the following inquiries :

    1. Hard White Shaving – 500 Mt
    2. Shorted White Ledger (SWL) – 800 Mt
    3. Hard White Envelope Cutting (HWEC) – 300 Mt
    4. Old Corrugated Cartoon (OCC) – 300 Mt
    5. Old News Paper (ONP) – 500 Mt
    6. Old Magazine – 300 Mt
    7. Bleached Hardwood Kraft Pulp (BHWKP) – 1000 Mt
    8. Bleached Softwood Kraft Pulp (BSWKP) – 1000 Mt
    9. Stock lots of Newsprint, White paper, Duplex Board, Liner paper, Tissue paper etc.

    We require your best and net offer only to C&F Chittagong, Bangladesh basis and with us you will get right price of the market and the day to day feedback of the market.

    Waiting your valued reply with your offer based on your available stocks..

    Regards,

    Aynul Kabir
    Eurasia Trading Co.
    Bangladesh
    Tel : 880-2-8399771, 8399772, 8399787
    Fax : 880-2-8399787
    Mob : 880-1713-291042, 880-1842-291042
    Skype : eurasiabd
    E mail : eurasia@eurasiabd.net
    —————–

  • byanon
    Posted March 16, 2013 8:59 pm 0Likes

    i have about 5-7 kg of paper in th form of old books and printed paper that i wish to get rid of. is there any way i can sell it for some money? other than the karang guni.

  • byjohari
    Posted March 24, 2013 9:24 am 0Likes

    How much will I receive , if I have aleast 1 ton of old newspaper . Interested in collecting it and sell it .. At least I save the enviroment and at the same time earn cash .

  • byShirley
    Posted April 2, 2013 6:26 am 0Likes

    I am interested in buying old news paper.

  • byJenny
    Posted April 10, 2013 9:42 pm 0Likes

    Hi, was just wondering if there was a recycling bin that collects any paper related items eg:cardboard, junk mails, used paper and is located just below your block, would you all be more encouraged to recycle them?

  • byburraqenterprises
    Posted April 22, 2013 11:12 pm 0Likes

    hello.burraq enterprises is anew company interested in purchasing
    different types of waste especially in paper waste we have a very good market for paper waste up 20 to 30 containers(40 Ft)/month.so pl show us your offer of different types/quality of paper waste/kg c&f karachi pakistan.thanks

    • byolivia
      Posted August 23, 2014 10:43 pm 0Likes

      Hi, I have hundred (may up to thousand) empty moon-cake box ready for sell. Anyone interested?

  • bySandy
    Posted September 4, 2014 6:06 pm 0Likes

    Hello everyong,

    are you interested in baler machine for waste paepr, cardboard ? are you interested in to be our agents? if yes, please send messgage to me my email is sales@hellobaler.com

  • byJane
    Posted January 19, 2015 5:32 pm 0Likes

    Hi,

    My office wants to recycle monthly, but were wondering if there are collectors available?
    We carry the recyclables every week, but its extremely heavy as we waste a lot of paper. We end up carrying boxes and boxes of just paper. Along with plastic bottles and cans.

    Can anyone help to point us in the right direction? we are in the city area.

    Thanks

  • byASHOK GUPTA
    Posted June 18, 2015 12:44 pm 0Likes

    My company is engagued in buying newspaper waste only small butt reels and tear off paper for India. If you have any information and offer me on regual basis,please reply.

    Ashok Gupta,
    Ashoke International
    Kolkata,INDIA
    9831071808(M)

  • byHAMEED
    Posted July 23, 2016 4:23 am 0Likes

    I am living in pakistan and i am in search of waste paper in different shape to import it from singapore specifically used magazines , yellow paper books and other used papers,can you suggest me what person i have contact to fullfill my need on competitive price and other shipping issues,,please advice me

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  • byBirgitta
    Posted October 1, 2017 11:14 pm 0Likes

    While I recycle a lot, it is difficult to find products made from recycled material in Singapore. Any idea Where one can one buy recycled toilet paper and kitchen towels in Singapore?

  • byTeresa
    Posted October 30, 2017 7:29 pm 0Likes

    Hi there, I am enquiring if there is any service that is without charge that will collect papers (shredded and in whole sheets) from a company?

    Kindly advise me. Thanks.

    • byBigmammal
      Posted October 26, 2018 11:11 am 0Likes

      Hi Teresa,

      So happy to have chanced upon your thread in this forum! We are happy to share with you that we do paper waste collection in bulk without charge, as we are focused on the environmental impact of going green. We are more than happy to liase with you if you were still keen to look into this.

      Our company, BigMammal, is based in recycling and my contact is as follows, hope to speak with you should you be keen to take this further! Cheers.

      Warm regards,
      Poh Le Xiang
      bigmammal.co@gmail.com
      +65 9791 0907

  • byCassie
    Posted August 22, 2018 12:20 am 0Likes

    Hi, i wish to buy used newspaper can you tell me where to buy?

  • byleslie
    Posted July 9, 2019 1:06 pm 0Likes

    i have 600 over cartons of comics books for sales.

    carosell is some listing.

    anyone who has network to sell all ?

    can contact me : kuangleslie@gmail.com

  • byAmber Scott
    Posted May 6, 2020 5:04 pm 0Likes

    10th International Conference on Recycling and Waste Management
    September 21-22, 2020 | Barcelona, Spain

    Dear Sir/Madam,

    Greetings!!
    Hope you are doing well.

    I am Amber Scott, Program Manager of Recycling 2020, want to make your kind notice that we are organizing 10th International Conference on Recycling and Waste Management.
    And would like to invite you and your colleagues as Speaker/Delegate participants at our prestigious conference.
    We hope you and your member’s presence will helpful to grand success of the conference.
    For more details of conference highlights and Speakers, PS: Recycling 2020
    Conference Sessions:
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    • Fundamental Waste Techniques
    • Microbes in Waste Management
    • Food Recycling and many more….

    Opportunities: Oral/Poster/Keynote Speaker/Exhibitor
    We are requesting that kindly circulate this invitation to your departments/lab that valuable members can participate Recycling 2020.
    If any members participating from your institute/departments/lab, we are glad to provide 20% discount on registration and accommodation charges.
    For presentation, Members can submit their abstract through online also: https://www.lexisconferences.com/recyclingcongress
    We do very much hope that you will be able to accept this invitation and we hope that your stay will be memorable and Enjoyable at Barcelona, Spain.
    For any further help/assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
    Your early response upon confirmation would be greatly appreciated.
    Waiting for your kind response.

    Thanks & Regards
    Amber Scott | Program Manager
    Recycling 2020
    Email: recyclingcongress@meetingsnexpo.com

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