Recycling Scenarios And Impacts Studied: Part 2

In the selective recycling scenario (S), the criteria for the waste paper grades and the respective paper qualities they are used for are the simplicity of fiber recovery and the availability of waste paper. Simplicity of recovery means that there are existing and feasible technologies for fiber recovery and that there would be no significant decrease in the quality of the papers caused by furnishing them with recycled fiber. The availability factor means that the waste paper could be collected inside a reasonably compact area (within a range of 150 km to 200 km). Long-distance transportation of waste paper is assumed to be minimized. The disposed part of the waste paper is assumed to be incinerated or shipped to landfills in the same proportion as the previous scenario (26% and 74% respectively). The overall furnish share for the reused pulp is 35% for all paper and board grades, which is about 5% higher per unit than the rate estimated in 1986.

The zero recycling scenario (Z) represents an alternative strategy with the maximum energy recovery of paper fibers. In general, energy use is the most important factor when considering environmental impacts. The use of waste paper for energy production reduces solid-waste streams and saves fuel. It might also reduce overall direct emissions from energy production into the air and water, because of the relatively high emission protection into the air and water, because of the relatively high emission protection level of incinerators, depending on the mixture of the substituted fuel. Energy production that is assumed to be substituted for incinerator output in this scenario is assumed to follow the current average profile for Western Europe. The disposal pattern for waste paper is assumed to be changed to 100% incineration, that is, all the waste paper is assumed to be burned.