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The Nonlinear Relationship between Paper Recycling and Primary Pulp Requirements

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  • Niels J. Schenk
  • Henri C. Moll
  • José Potting

Abstract

Waste paper is suitable for recycling back into paper or for incineration for energy recovery. If waste paper is used for recycling, secondary pulp replaces virgin pulp. Fiber recycling is limited, however, because of physical constraints—particularly the breakage of fiber in the recycling process—and a permanent input of virgin fiber to the system is required. Therefore one can expect that the relationship between recycling rates and resource requirements is represented by a curved line rather than a straight one. In this article, we present a mathematical model which confirms that the relationship between recycling rates and primary pulp requirements can be described as nonlinear. Furthermore, we show that this nonlinear relationship leads to an optimal recycling rate with regard to energy consumption: 93 persent for paper produced from chemical pulp, and 81 persent for paper produced from mechanical pulp. Sensitivity testing additionally reveals that at low recycling rates increasing waste paper recycling is energy efficient, but it becomes less efficient at higher recycling rates. Close to the optimum recycling rates (within 10 persent), increasing or decreasing the rate affects the total energy requirement less than 0.3%

Suggested Citation

  • Niels J. Schenk & Henri C. Moll & José Potting, 2004. "The Nonlinear Relationship between Paper Recycling and Primary Pulp Requirements," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 8(3), pages 141-162, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:8:y:2004:i:3:p:141-162
    DOI: 10.1162/1088198042442379
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    Cited by:

    1. Sathre, Roger & Gustavsson, Leif, 2006. "Energy and carbon balances of wood cascade chains," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 47(4), pages 332-355.
    2. Schenk, Niels J. & Moll, Henri C., 2007. "The use of physical indicators for industrial energy demand scenarios," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 63(2-3), pages 521-535, August.

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