Alexei Volkov
Paper and plastic are two materials often used in products that end up as waste, such as bags, cups, and straws. Single-use paper products have been adopted as a more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic products. However, the use of single-use paper products can also negatively impact the environment and human health due to the release of toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases during degradation. Paper products are also often coated with plastic to improve their performance, which can lead to plastic contamination during recycling. Additionally, there is a product called stone paper that is made from calcium carbonate and plastic but is marketed as paper, which can further complicate recycling processes and contaminate paper recycling operations. This raises the question of whether paper products contain plastic and how this affects the environment and recycling practices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paper products with plastic coatings | Single-use paper products can be harmful to the environment and human health due to the release of toxic chemicals and microplastics |
| Plastic alternatives | PFAS coatings, such as chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol, are being explored, but they also pose health concerns |
| Recyclability | Paper with plastic coatings cannot be recycled, contributing to environmental pollution |
| "Stone paper" | A misleading term for extruded sheets of polyethylene with calcium carbonate; this is not real paper and can contaminate paper recycling operations |
| Paper recycling contamination | "Stone paper" and other plastic-containing paper products can damage papermaking processes and contaminate paper recycling |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic pollution
The first synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was produced in 1907, marking the beginning of the global plastics industry. However, rapid growth in global plastic production did not occur until the 1950s. Over the next 70 years, annual plastic production increased by nearly 230 times to 460 million metric tons in 2019. Even in just the last two decades, global plastic production has doubled.
The convenience of plastics has led to a throw-away culture, revealing the material's dark side. Today, single-use plastics account for 40% of the plastic produced every year. Many of these products, such as plastic bags and food wrappers, have a lifespan of just minutes to hours, yet they may persist in the environment for hundreds of years. As a result, plastic pollution can alter habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems' ability to adapt to climate change and directly affecting millions of people's livelihoods, food production capabilities, and social well-being.
To address plastic pollution, systemic transformation and improved waste management strategies are crucial. Reducing plastic production alone will not solve the problem, as even with half the amount of plastic, significant amounts would still flow into our rivers and oceans due to mismanagement. This mismanagement refers to plastic waste that is not recycled, incinerated, or stored in sealed landfills, which affects wildlife and ecosystems. Improving waste management infrastructure, especially in poorer countries, is critical to tackling plastic pollution. Additionally, some governments have taken steps to limit or ban the use of plastic bags, such as in California, where legislation has been passed to ban all plastic bags by 2026.
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Paper recycling
The paper recycling process begins with sorting the collected paper into different types and grades. Contaminants such as plastic, glass, trash, inks, paper clips, staples, and glue are removed. The paper is then shredded into small pieces and mixed with water and chemicals to break it down further. This mixture is heated, causing the paper to disintegrate into strands of cellulose, creating a substance known as pulp or slurry.
The pulp undergoes screening to eliminate any remaining contaminants, such as plastic, especially from plastic-coated paper. After cleaning, the pulp may be de-inked to remove any residual ink, bleached, and mixed with water. Colouring agents may be added at this stage. Subsequently, a mixture of 1% pulp and 99% fibre is sprayed onto a fast-moving mesh, forming sheets and removing excess water.
The recycled paper is then wound onto large rolls, cut, and dispatched for creating new products, including cardboard, newsprint, and office paper. This process can be replicated on a smaller scale at home, using materials like old wrapping paper or junk mail. However, industrial-scale paper recycling offers more significant energy and resource conservation advantages.
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Single-use paper products
As plastic pollution continues to rise, many companies are switching to paper packaging. Single-use plastic products, such as bags, cups, and straws, have been reported in every natural habitat across the globe, with their fragmentation into micro and nano-plastics posing high risks to all organisms, including humans.
Paper is one of the main alternatives to plastic, with many retailers announcing their switch to paper bags and paper-based chocolate wrappers, ready-meal trays, and water bottles. In recent years, there has been a growing demand for paper, with some governments banning certain plastic items and pledging to eradicate single-use plastic.
However, it is important to note that single-use paper products also have their own environmental and health impacts. Paper production emits air pollution and releases greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. The manufacturing process also uses trees that could otherwise be absorbing carbon dioxide, and it results in water pollution. Additionally, paper products may contain toxic chemical compounds that can end up in the environment or food and beverages, posing risks to human health.
While paper is biodegradable and has a higher recycling rate than plastic, it is not infinitely recyclable and can only be recycled 5-7 times. Paper is also less durable than plastic and susceptible to damage from mould, fire, and water.
Overall, while paper may be a more sustainable alternative to single-use plastic in some cases, it is not without its drawbacks. It is crucial to consider the specific context and compare the pros and cons of each material to make an informed decision.
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Paper coatings
Coated paper is also known as enamel paper, gloss paper, and thin paper. It is paper that has been coated by a mixture of materials or a polymer. Various materials can be used to coat paper, including kaolinite, calcium carbonate, bentonite, and talc. The chalk or china clay is bound to the paper with synthetic viscosifiers, such as styrene-butadiene latexes and natural organic binders such as starch.
The coating formulation may also contain chemical additives as dispersants, resins, or polyethylene to give water resistance and wet strength to the paper, or to protect against ultraviolet radiation. Machine-finished coated paper (MFC) has a basis weight of 48–80 g/m2. MFC papers are made of 60–85% groundwood or thermomechanical pulp (TMP) and 15–40% chemical pulp with a total pigment content of 20–30%.
Some papers are coated with a melted plastic layer, such as polyethylene or polyolefin extrusion coating, silicone, and wax coating to make paper cups and photographic paper. Biopolymer coatings are available as more sustainable alternatives to common petrochemical coatings like low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or mylar. It is most used in the food and drink packaging industry. The plastic is used to improve functions such as water resistance, tear strength, and abrasion resistance.
Coated fine paper or wood-free coated paper (WFC) are primarily produced for offset printing. This paper quality is normally used for advertising materials, books, annual reports, and high-quality catalogues. The grammage ranges from 90–170 g/m2 and ISO brightness between 80–96%. The fibre furnish consists of more than 90% chemical pulp.
Art papers are one of the highest-quality printing papers and are used for illustrated books, calendars, and brochures. The grammage varies from 100 to 230 g/m2. These paper grades are triple-coated with 20–40 g/m2/side and have a matte or glossy finish. Higher qualities often contain cotton.
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'Stone paper'
Stone paper is a strong and durable paper-like material manufactured from calcium carbonate bonded with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resin. It is also referred to as bioplastic paper, mineral paper, or rich mineral paper.
Stone paper is made up of about 80% calcium carbonate limestone powder, which is extruded together with recycled HDPE and at least one undisclosed proprietary component. The calcium carbonate is mined from quarries or derived from limestone. The undisclosed component is likely a type of resin used as a binder.
The production of stone paper uses no acid, bleach, or optical brighteners. It is recyclable into new stone paper but only if recycled separately at dedicated civic amenity sites or other recycling/waste processing points. Stone paper is not biodegradable or compostable, but it is photodegradable by the ultraviolet (UVa) light in daylight. Thus, it does not meet archival standards and requires special measures for long-term conservation.
Stone paper has a smoother surface than most traditional paper products, eliminating the need for additional coating or lamination. It is compatible with inkjet or solid ink printers but does not respond well to very high-temperature laser printers.
Some people have expressed concerns about the potential environmental benefits of stone paper, as it contains a significant proportion of plastic. There are also concerns that stone paper could contaminate paper recycling operations if it becomes widely used. However, stone paper is marketed as an environmentally friendly, waterproof, and exceptionally smooth alternative to pulp-based papers.
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Frequently asked questions
Paper is a sheet-like material formed by dewatering a suspension of renewable, biodegradable cellulosic fibres on a screen.
Paper products often contain plastic coatings to prevent leaks. However, plastic coatings can break down into microplastics, which are harmful to the environment and human health.
Stone paper is a misleading term for extruded sheets of polyethylene with a high percentage of ground calcium carbonate, which is also used in real paper.
