Social Concern

1. Introduction

Waste paper is a valuable source of fibre for the paper and board industry. Worldwide, over half the fibre used in the paper and board industry consists of secondary fibre. Secondary fibre is any cellulose fibre which has already been through the paper and board making process atleast once.
Pre-consumer waste is generated from the industry from the paper converting operations, including, printing, cutting etc. Such waste can again be very clean and contaminant free. Post consumer waste is waste that can be collected from house holds, supermarkets etc. This is likely to be more variable in nature and contain more contaminants.
The most important source of waste paper is from the waste paper merchants and the major waste paper merchants are either owned or directly connected to the individual mills. This is also a source of lively hood and income for the Jua Kali sector in Kenya. The ‘Jua Kali’ sector is what is known as the ‘Informal’ sector, and it earns in cash on a daily basis to the tune of One Million shillings. The daily requirement of waste paper in Kenya by the various paper mills is a total of approximately 250 tons. Waste paper is collected nationally through out Kenya. Infact waste paper is a life line for various mills in Kenya. Without adequate supplies, a lot of mills in Kenya would come to a grinding halt.

Social and Economic

Benefits of paper recycling

Waste paper is used because it is a cheap source of fibre. The use of waste paper is not a new idea. Here in Kenya, waste paper has been used by Kenya Papermills Limited since 1958. Paper was originally made from rags, the waste from the textile industry. The main reasons for using waste paper are:-

      

• It can be economic, depending on the individual mill situation and the grades of paper they make. Secondary fibre recovered from waste paper is a cheaper raw material then virgin fibre.

     

  • It can save on energy, mainly due to a lower refining requirement and the fact that it is already made into pulp. This is important because the paper industry is an energy intensive industry.

     

  • It can conserve primary and virgin raw material. It has been estimated that one tonne of waste paper is equivalent to approximately nine trees. This there fore helps conserve our trees, environment and ecology.

 • Improves the balance of payments situation in Kenya, by reducing imports of virgin pulp and increasing exports of finished products made from waste paper (secondary fibre). For your information The Chandaria Group, exports approximately $100,000.00 dollars worth of recycled paper every month. Thus earning the country valuable and scarce foreign currency.

      

• Creates employment in the collection, separation and processing of waste paper. In Kenya there are approximately 3000 individuals from the ‘Jua Kali’ sector involved directly with waste paper collection nationally.

      

• Environmentally, it extends the life of landfill sites, reduces pollution and disposal costs.

Waste paper is cheaper than virgin fibre, but costs of processing must be taken into account. The main problem associated with waste paper use is contaminant removal, ink removal, dispersing and bleaching, which adds onto the processing costs.

RECYCLING
We are licensed by NEMA for Waste Paper and Waste Cotton wool recycling as required under Waste Management Regulations (2006). We have for three consecutive years been recognized and awarded with top awards for Cleaner Production Practices that include, Reduction of Solid Waste, Reduction of Waste Water, Innovation and Creativity, Championship etc