RECYCLING

• Myth #1: Paper fibers can be recycled indefinitely.

Reality: False.  Paper fibers can generally be recycled, or reclaimed, a maximum of eight times, according to the paper industry folks, before degrading to the point of no return.  The recycling process is abusive to paper fibers and they become shorter (degraded) each time through the cycle.  Eventually it becomes short enough that it is rinsed out during the screening process, where longer “younger” fibers are retained. 

• Myth #2: Recycling is free.

Reality: False.  The truth is that it costs money to pay for all facets of the service, including: trucks, the fuel they run on and the drivers that drive them; sorting and material consolidation labor and equipment; processing of the reclaimed raw materials, etcetera.  At the end of the day, recycling is still a business with revenues and costs.  Proponents need to continue developing markets for recyclables that bring revenue and justify existence on financial basis to the people and governments that are paying for it. 

• Myth #3: Paper is better than plastic.

Reality: Depends on the use.  When looking at overall carbon footprint, paper usually is much better than petroleum or coal derived hydrocarbon-based materials.  Done properly, plastics’ carbon footprint needs to include not only the actual manufacturing of the materials and products, but also the extraction and refining process of the crude oil into the various distilliates from which they are then further manufactured into various forms of plastic products. 

In addition, the use of natural cellulosic fibers results in the creation of a carbon ‘sink’ (carbon storage in the form of plants and a plant-based products), thereby reducing atmospheric carbon.  Nothing of the sort occurs throughout the lifecycle of a petroleum-based product. 

Final note, petroleum is a finite non-renewable resource whereas wood pulp (paper fiber) is a renewable material and can be produced sustainably indefinitely.

• Myth #4: Unbleached paper is better than bleached.

Reality: False.  True unbleached paper is like layers of cardboard box, and is mostly unsuitable for food container use.  “Bleaching” in paper processing is a term used to describe the washing and whitening of the fibers to remove all dirt and other contaminants.  “Bleaching” can be done with various soaps and chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or similar non-toxic chemistries which are far safer for people and the environment, and does not by definition include chlorine in the process.  The paper industry claims it has largely eliminated the use of chlorine for fiber cleaning.  The common misnomer is that we all grew up walking down the grocery store aisle and saw chlorine bleach under the names of Chlorox, Purex, etc.  It is important to understand that bleaching agents cover a range of natural and synthetic compounds, all with varying degrees of effectiveness and sustainability impacts. 

Trivia Point: Virtually all paper products sold as “natural and unbleached” actually have the brown or ‘kraft’ color added to them during processing.  The color that comes from processed fibers is almost a natural white, hence suppliers add the “brown unbleached” color for consistency and marketing purposes. 

ORGANICS RECYCLING

• Myth #5: Paper that is food soiled is not recyclable, but is compostable

Reality: True.  Food is considered a major source of contamination in the various paper fiber recycling categories.  Once soiled with the juices and oils common in our foods, the paper fibers and contaminants will not be able to be separated.  However, food contaminants are compostable thus paper fiber-based products such as pizza boxes, paper napkins, paper-towels, paper plates, paper cups and of course any BPI certified compostable products should be composted when possible. 

LANDFILLS

• Myth #6: Landfills are not designed to decay

Reality: True.  Landfills are not designed to break down trash, only to bury it.  The trash put in a landfill will remain in tact for a very long time because there is little moisture and little oxygen, the two key factors for decomposition.