" . . . Disposable coffee cups, milk cartons, takeout boxes, and other food packaging has a plastic lining to make sure liquids and oils don’t seep through. But most recycling systems in the U.S. aren’t designed to process these plastic-coated containers: The plastic can jam up recycling machines, and if the plastic somehow makes it through the process, paper mills won’t be able to use it.
All of this is about to change. The recycled paper industry in the United States is redesigning its systems to salvage the paper from these containers, then sanitize and recycle it. This couldn’t come at a better time. Since the pandemic started, curbside recycling has increased 7% while office paper recycling has dramatically decreased. At the same time, Americans have been ordering more food to their homes, making it even more crucial to find a recycling solution for these plastic-lined containers . . . "
Recycling companies are making a small change to their systems, which could dramatically increase what we’re able to recycle.
Agree, we are a nation driven to improve our waste product recycling.
I learned a lot about the mfg of paperboard products for food and non food use. For example; If you know how a paper match book was made (yeah I'm dating myself), you'd have never used a paper match to pick your teeth.
I know nothing of how paper matchbooks are made. But I do know that when I was in Prague in 1989, they were unheard of (wooden matches only). So people who asked me for a light - back in my smoking days - and saw my paper matches would offer to buy me a beer if I'd give them a matchbook. Good times!
A beer for a match book... great deal !
As for the paperboard that match books, as well as most non-food applications, are made from, the 'dark' paperboard is made from 'very crude' recycled material which includes rags, unclean paper and cardboard products and a large percent of unknowns.
Food grade paperboard is made from virgin materials.
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