A Report on Investigation on Recyclability of the Troublesome Paper Materials in Paper Recycling Process

Abstract

The Japan Federation of Printing Industry (JFPI) has been starting the project to support the development of recyclable paper-based products since 2002. The main activity of the project is to investigate the recyclability of the paper materials which were thought to be difficult to recycle such as “gold, silver, pearl, UV ink printed paper, varnished paper, and plastic laminated.” The lab experiment was completed in 2002 and the pilot plant trial was done in 2003. Base on the results, JFPI suggested the probability for the real usage of the materials in the industry.
This paper reported the results of the recyclability evaluation on ten paper-based materials. The samples were following ; offset gold, silver, pearl ink printed, UV ink printed, gravure gold ink printed, gold-gilt paper, two types of hybrid UV ink printed, UV varnished, and PP laminated paper. Offset gold, silver, pearl printed and hybrid UV ink printed turned to be appropriate for recycling. On the other hand, rest of the paper materials was not suitable for recycling due to rough and large ink particle or fragmented film remained in the recycled pulp.
The next step is to propagate the recyclable materials. Then following step shall be needed ; 1) reflecting the results to the standards of the industry, 2) preparing signs or indications for recyclable paper materials, 3) public support for the recycling facilities, 4) public education on recycling.