Paper - What happens to your waste and recycling?

View this page in Welsh / Gweld y tudalen hwn yn Gymraeg

Why is it important to recycle paper?

In the UK, we use 12 million tonnes of paper each year, and the average family throws away six trees worth of paper every year!

Fortunately, here in the Vale of Glamorgan, we recycle paper and cardboard, which helps save natural resources and reduce energy use.

All paper can be recycled, no matter the colour, shape, or size, as long as it’s dry.

Recycling paper uses less energy than cutting down trees to make new paper. It also reduces carbon emissions by 20%, which helps fight climate change!

What happens to paper recycling after it is collected?

The Vale of Glamorgan Council collects paper recycling from residents every week.

Once collected, your paper recycling is brought by our crews to a local recycling centre.

It is then taken on to be reprocessed, where the paper is sorted into different types and grades. It is then pulped with water and chemicals to break it down and remove inks, plastic film, paper clips, staples, and glue.

Once cleaned, colouring agents may be added, and the mixture is sprayed onto a fast-moving mesh to form new sheets of paper. The water is removed, and the paper is pressed, rolled, and heated to get the right thickness and moisture.



Watch the video to learn more about the process:


How is recycled paper used?

The recycled paper is wound on to huge rolls before being cut and dispatched to make new paper products including cardboard, newspaper and writing paper. It may also be used to produce items such as labels, bags and gift cards.

View this page in Welsh / Gweld y tudalen hwn yn Gymraeg

Why is it important to recycle paper?

In the UK, we use 12 million tonnes of paper each year, and the average family throws away six trees worth of paper every year!

Fortunately, here in the Vale of Glamorgan, we recycle paper and cardboard, which helps save natural resources and reduce energy use.

All paper can be recycled, no matter the colour, shape, or size, as long as it’s dry.

Recycling paper uses less energy than cutting down trees to make new paper. It also reduces carbon emissions by 20%, which helps fight climate change!

What happens to paper recycling after it is collected?

The Vale of Glamorgan Council collects paper recycling from residents every week.

Once collected, your paper recycling is brought by our crews to a local recycling centre.

It is then taken on to be reprocessed, where the paper is sorted into different types and grades. It is then pulped with water and chemicals to break it down and remove inks, plastic film, paper clips, staples, and glue.

Once cleaned, colouring agents may be added, and the mixture is sprayed onto a fast-moving mesh to form new sheets of paper. The water is removed, and the paper is pressed, rolled, and heated to get the right thickness and moisture.



Watch the video to learn more about the process:


How is recycled paper used?

The recycled paper is wound on to huge rolls before being cut and dispatched to make new paper products including cardboard, newspaper and writing paper. It may also be used to produce items such as labels, bags and gift cards.