It is a material manufactured in thin sheets from the pulp of wood or other fibrous substances, used for writing, drawing, or printing on, or as wrapping material.

Paper and cardboard products made from recycled material conserves trees, and their production uses up to 50% less energy and 90% less water than making them from raw materials. Recycling one tonne of paper saves three cubic metres of landfill space.

Recycle your household paper to:

• save energy
• reduce landfill
• reduce CO2 emissions
• conserve raw materials

Source : Sustainability Victoria

Recycled paper is broken down using either chemical or mechanical means to free the fibres and create pulp. The pulp is re-manufactured into paper products in a similar way to first production paper.

Paper can be recycled into many things including office paper, packaging, toilet paper, egg cartons, soundproofing, furniture and cardboard.

The waste products left over from the recycling process (ink, short fibres and plastics) are collectively called ‘sludge’ and are either sent into landfill, burnt for energy or used as fertilizer.

Paper can be recycled up to eight times. Once the paper has been recycled as many times as possible, it is turned into organic waste and breaks down.

Source: Sustainability Victoria

• coffee cups
• dirty paper plates, napkins or kitchen roll
• paper towel
• pizza boxes soaked in oil
• shredded paper
• tissues
• toilet paper
• waxed cardboard such as fruit boxes

Source: Sustainability Victoria