Paper and Cardboard Recycling Experts in Scotland

Used printed or unprinted corrugated case material and used paper and board packaging (containing 100% corrugated board). Ideally in wired bales (4-5 wires securing the bale is great) and free from any contaminants (metal, plastic, glass, textiles, wood, sand, building materials, synthetic materials) as this can reduce the value of the materials or render them unrecyclable. Dry OCC is preferred but up to 10% moisture can be tolerated without losing any value. Commonly used for the manufacture of corrugated case materials (fluting and test-liner), solid packaging board (Grey-board), pulp products and wrapping papers. Highlander Tip: If you have a mixture of OCC and other paper materials, keep them separate as paper mills place a greater value on OCC and the separated materials can be recycled easier.

A mixture of papers in each bale made up of approximately;

15 – 20% White heavy letter

30% wood-free coloured shavings

25% coloured heavy letter and a maximum of

15% coloured pams and

5-10% coloured stationery.

In this mix, we can take up to a maximum of 10% mechanical content. The material must be free from latex binders, self-adhesive labels, wet strength poly-laminates, and other contraries. Commonly used for: The manufacture of tissue products like hand towels, toilet tissue and kitchen roll.

Highlander Tip:

This is attractive on the Indian markets as it consists mostly of sheet and slab paper which can be sorted and upgraded easily.

General office paper is made up of coloured or white letters and business forms to be shredded. Up to 10%, manila envelopes and files can be included and to save you time there’s no need to remove metal pins and fasteners. Carbon paper should not be included, nor should any bleached materials. We keep the mechanical content under 10% for the best return.

Commonly used for: The manufacture of recycled tissue products such as hand towels, toilet tissue and kitchen roll.

Highlander Tip:

Shredded paper materials are very popular in UK markets and generally get a better return than other markets.

Best white 1

100% pure white wood-free paper in baled form, with no coatings or markings and free of all plastic. No off tone wood-free paper is permitted within this grade and material found to contain off-tones, any coatings or marks will be downgraded to best white 2.

Best white 2

This grade is up to 100% pure white wood-free paper, either slab or shavings, with some coatings or markings, some off-tone/cream wood-free paper can be tolerated (5% max).

Commonly used for the manufacture of recycled papers for the publishing industry, recycled writing papers and luxury tissue products.

Highlander Tip:

Materials will be rejected if wet or found to contain paper from mechanical pulp, plastic, poly coat or laminate, so please keep these separate.

Mixed newspapers, periodicals and magazines (PAMS). The mix of PAMS to news must be between 30-70% and free of all other materials including carbon paper, foil and laminates, synthetic papers and string. And contaminate free oil, grease, sand and metal. Usually subject to visual inspection so clean, dry materials are highly desirable.

Almost exclusively used for the manufacture of recycled newsprint.

Highlander Tip:

Usually subject to visual inspection so clean, dry, well-presented materials are highly desirable.

Various papers, boards and packaging usually containing around 50% corrugated material. A maximum level of 1.5% of cans, bottles, plastic film and other non-paper materials from domestic sources is usually permitted.

Commonly used for the manufacture of recycled boards such as writing pad backing.

Highlander Tip:

Generally exported to overseas markets mixed paper attracts attention from customs officers at foreign ports, for a smoother process it’s best to ensure all bales are well presented, clean, dry and tidy.

Made up exclusively of newspapers, with only 5% the newsprint coloured/containing advertisements. Many newspapers come with poly-coated inserts, which can be problematic in the recycling process, if highlighted in advance this can be managed to ensure the best return for every bale supplied.

Commonly used for: The manufacture of recycled newsprint, egg boxes or hospital containers and some tissue products.

Highlander Tip:

Niche markets exist for this material and considerably added value can be gained for the right quality.

A mix of new pre-consumer cuttings of paperboard such as grey board, scan board and/or kraft board, used in the manufacture of folding cartons, set-up boxes and similar boxboard products and groundwood free misprint sheets and cartons of bleached/scan board, free from any other type of paper or board. The materials should be free from wax, greaseproof lamination, gilt, adhesives or insoluble coatings.

Commonly used for: The manufacture of recycled boards, some low-grade tissue products, like blue roll and it can also be used in the manufacture of new scan board boxes in pharmaceutical, food and industrial packing.

Highlander Tip:

There can be a price difference between lightly printed, medium printed and heavily printed scan-board. A general rule is that a lightly printed scan board has less than 20% print on the board, medium printed scan board should have between 20 – 30% print on the board and be free of deep/dark colours, anything else is considered heavily printed.