- Paper was invented over 2,000 years ago in China
- Paper is mostly made from cellulose fibre which is extracted from trees.
- Paper and board products can be made from 100% waste paper or from virgin wood pulp, or from any combination in between, depending on the type of paper required.
- Paper can be recycled a number of times but not indefinitely. Fresh fibre from virgin pulp and paper is required to replace that which is lost in the recycling process.
- The trees used for virgin pulp are generally coniferous but some hard woods are used such as eucalyptus. They are replaced in greater numbers than they are harvested.
- Waste paper and fibres have always been used for paper and board making in the UK. Currently 60% of all fibre being used by the UK paper and board industry is made from waste paper.
- About one third of all paper and cardboard used in the UK every year is recycled.