Abstract |
The increase in exports of waste paper and the increase in recycling into virgin fiber grades has had an impact on traditional recycling mills. As a result, there are really three recycling 'industries' in operation: (1) recycling mills, (2) virgin fiber users of waste paper, and (3) exports. Of these, the recycling mills are the least able to compete for quality fiber. Eventually, they will continue to become less important in comparison to the other two. Consequently, they will be required to install technology that will upgrade fiber quality more than it has been the practice in recent years. The increasing rate of recovery of waste paper has had implications for the traditional recycling mills' fiber supply. These mills have been in essentially a no-growth situation for more than 10 years, have experienced some decline in quality of waste paper, and in some cases have had to change their grade mix to remain competitive. By constrast, the use of waste paper in grades made from predominantly wood pulp has increased. |