Paper

As a nation, we get through twelve point five million tonnes of paper each year.

Recycling paper reduces energy use, Co2 and diverts paper waste from landfill, where it rots and produces greenhouse gases.

To start the recycling process, paper is collected… sorted… and graded.

At the paper mill (such as the one in Shotton, Deeside), it’s pulped in a tank containing chemicals and water, which separates the fibres.

It is screened, to filter-out paper clips, CDs and other debris.

And then cleaned and de-inked by being spun in a cone shaped container.

Whitening agents are added as required and the pulp mixture, which is 99% water and 1% fibre, is then pumped onto the Paper Machine.

It is passed over a vibrating screen which removes most of the water, leaving the fibres to form the paper, card or newsprint.

The paper passes through a series of large heated rollers until the correct moisture content and thickness is achieved and is then wound on to huge rolls.

Sometimes coatings are applied as the paper passes along the paper machine - to form a gloss or matt paper.

The large rolls are then divided into smaller reels, packed and stored until they're dispatched to the printers to make more newspapers.