When it comes to recycled paper raw materials, 11 OCC cardboard is of interest to wastepaper buyers worldwide. In an era of growing environmental awareness and the circular economy, recycled cardboard has transformed from a common waste into a valuable resource. Wastepaper buyers worldwide actively compete for this material, and the reasons for this interest are economic, environmental, and technological.
Cardboard, especially corrugated (so-called “boxboard”), is one of the most in-demand types of wastepaper. Its long and strong fibers allow it to be recycled multiple times (up to 5-7 times) without significant loss of quality. This makes cardboard a cost-effective raw material for the production of new packaging, paper, and building materials.
The e-commerce boom has led to a sharp increase in demand for packaging. Companies such as Amazon, Alibaba, and other retailers require huge quantities of cardboard packaging. Using recycled cardboard reduces production costs and meets environmental standards increasingly demanded by consumers and legislators.
Governments in many countries are introducing strict regulations on waste recycling and the use of secondary raw materials. For example, the European Union has directives mandating the recycling of up to 85% of cardboard packaging. Large corporations are also setting public targets to increase the share of recycled materials in their products, creating a steady demand for waste paper.
Modern technologies make it possible to effectively clean and recycle cardboard, even with traces of ink, tape, or film. Innovations in disinfection and fiber separation have improved the quality of the final product, expanding the range of applications for recycled cardboard—from food packaging to the production of building boards and insulation materials.
