PAPER AND CARDBOARD RECYCLING:

THE WASTE MANAGEMENT PROCESS

Paper and cardboard have endless abilities to be transformed when correctly recycled. In a bid to preserve
our environment, reprocessing these materials into new products allows for saving of trees, water and
landfill space; while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumed in the mechanical
production of new paper and cardboard goods.
Bingo Bins is committed to ensuring waste disposal is aligned with efficient practices, especially for
businesses and schools. As an exclusive partner of Planet Ark and member of Green Building Council
Australia, we aim to engage in sustainable recycling efforts, with the environment at the forefront of our
priority list.
Surely we are all aware of the many benefits of recycling paper and cardboard effectively, but how many
know the detailed process it takes to transform these recycled goods into new products?
To narrow it down for you, weve broken it down into the simple, yet complex, steps:

What happens to recycled waste after you dispose of it?

1. The Pick Up and Drop Off
The first step in this process happens right after a special Bingo Bins truck collects waste, once placed in
the correct bin. At Bingo Bins, we offer customised paper and cardboard waste management services-
whether daily, weekly or monthly. Pick-ups in this case, are dependent on the management plan you have
engaged with Bingo. To make the process even more efficient, especially for high turnover industries
such as educational faculties and corporate offices, we do allow for regular service-schedules; or
alternatively for smaller scale waste producers, on-call services.
No matter the plan, waste is collected on time, with recyclables then transported to what is known as a
waste transfer facility.
So far, we have seven facilities in total around the Sydney metropolitan area:

Auburn
Banksmeadow
 Minto
Mortdale
Smithfield
St. Marys
Tomago

Loaded with advanced machinery and state-of-the-art equipment, our recovery facilities and recycling
centres are fully-equipped to take on, and maintain, bulk loads of waste, recyclables or not, at any given
time. Although each site may serve a different purpose, the main thing they all have in common are the
efficient processes undertaken in each respective waste transfer facility.
When a Bingo truck securely enters the facility, its contents is unloaded before being placed on a
conveyor belt. The fun part then begins!

What happens on a conveyor belt?

While the recyclables are travelling along the conveyor belt and being manually sorted, they are also
travelling through what is known as a trommel. A trommel is a large barrel-like machine which has holes
along the side to allow for larger materials to pass through. For more lightweight materials, such as paper
and cardboard, transportation through the trommel is carried out through to the end, where they are then
sorted.
2.The Sorting and Separating in Waste Centres
Trained Bingo staff then begin with the sorting process. To provide a more efficient and accurate
approach, manual handling is the first step. This process sees the removal of any materials that may be
contaminated from plastic bags to food wrapping. We pride ourselves on certification regarding Quality
Management System, Environment Management System and Occupational Health and Safety
Management System which is we carefully handle each process- with the safety of our staff and end
receivers as a key priority.
The materials generally being sorted through may include:

Glass
Steel
Plastic
Cardboard
Paper

What happens to other goods after the separating?

Other goods such as steel are not disposed of, but if recyclable, are then transferred to an alternative
facility (different to paper and cardboard) after being baled. Now we will narrow it down to the subject of
this article, paper and cardboard.
Paper and Cardboard:
Cardboard: Boxboard vs. Corrugated
Generally, these are the two types of cardboard.
Boxboard refers to non-coated types of cardboard such as cereal boxes, which are also generally thinner.
Corrugated on the other hand, refers to larger, thicker packing boxes, such as those used to transport
goods.
Sorted cardboard is then soaked in a liquid mixture, responsible for creating a pulp- soft, shapeless
mass- which is then combined with new pulp usually extracted from wood chips to help solidify the
contents.
Fun Fact: Wet cardboard cannot be recycled as it can obstruct automated sorting machines. To avoid
interference of the process and contamination, wet cardboard should be thrown in a bin, a Bingo bin.
Grading Paper: Categorising based on grades (not the A+ kind)
Recyclable paper is then divided based on its grade. The grade of paper depends on its fibre length, so to
put things in perspective, your local newspaper is lower grade due to the fact it has been recycled several
times.
Did you know? Paper can be recycled up to seven times.
Unlike cardboard, the first step following the categorization of paper is shredding. After pairing it with a
liquid substance comprised of water and certain non-hazardous chemicals, the mixture is heated to further
break down into fibres. Following this breakdown, the paper mixture is cleaned with de-inking also taking
place. When the fibres being to start bonding and the paper begins to dry, it is then suitable to turn into
new products.
3.The Waste Centre Transfer and Aftermath:
Following the sorting and separating, paper and cardboard waste are then able to be transferred to their
respective facilities where they can be turned into new products.
Before they are turned to new products however, the baling takes place.
In the baling process, the materials are bundled together into a tightly compressed form. Sometimes, we
can even bale these resources in as small as a quarter of their original space.
What can recyclable materials be turned into?
Your everyday products are manufactured using 100% recyclable materials. Here is a snapshot of only
some of the useful resources used on a daily basis made from environmentally-friendly products:
Magazines > Newspaper
Newspaper > Egg cartons
Mixed Paper > Paper tower rolls
Corrugated Cardboard > Paper bags