How Many Times Can a Piece of Paper Be Recycled?
Paper is made from cellulose pulp derived from wood. Even though paper has a smooth finish, the underlying pulp is composed of a mound of microscopically small fibers that resemble a bale of hay. The pulping process causes the cellulose fibers to form stable bonds bound together by organic glue called lignin.
Though the cellulose bonds are fully reversible and therefore endlessly recyclable, the rigors of manufacturing place a practical limitation on the number of times paper can be recycled. The manufacturing steps include shredding the recyclable paper (or wood) and boiling them at a high temperature, along with applying pressure and mixing it with a cocktail of chemicals.
Recycling causes the fibers to become shorter, coarser and stiffer and eventually, unsuitable.
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