Most of us now have simple access to paper recycling facilities either through direct collection from our house, or facilities at local recycling centres. Around a third of all household waste collected consists of paper and card.

In 2004 around 70% (quoted figures vary) of the 6.2 million tonnes of raw material used by the paper industry in the UK was recycled.

The production of recycled paper requires significantly less energy input (3,000 – 4,000 KWh saving – about your average family house’s use for a year) than the production of new paper, also uses less water (30,000 litres per tonne), and produces 95% less air pollution (chlorine and dioxins). Rotting paper in landfill produces methane – 20 times worse for global warming than CO₂.

There will always be a percentage of new pulp required because a) recycled fibres break down, and new fibres are required to maintain the strength of the product b) top quality paper is required for some uses and c) some paper is lost during use – for example down the toilet.

This is the “Recycled Paper Mark”.Any product bearing this mark mustcomprise at least 75% recycled paper and board

The Confederation of Paper Industries have a lot of additional information about paper recycling.

As well as recycling paper, think about ways to reduce your paper consumption.

If you are recycling window envelopes, remove the plastic window first.

Note that some council recycling centres and paper banks do not take phone books or yellow pages. For information on recycling phone books and yellow pages, go to Yell’s search facility