You may have seen molded pulp before. It’s a common material used to make packaging, and it’s made from recycled paper products. But can molded pulp be recycled?
The short answer is yes. Molded pulp can be recycled, but there are a few things you need to know before you recycle it. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of recycling molded pulp and how you can recycle it effectively.
What Is Molded Pulp?
Molded pulp is made from recycled paper that has been shredded and reformed into new shapes. It’s a popular packaging material because it’s affordable, lightweight, and sturdy.
The Environmental Benefits of Using Molded Pulp
Molded pulp is a great eco-friendly option for packaging and storage and they have many advantages.
First of all, molded pulp is made from recycled materials. So, you can feel good about going green while still getting the performance you need.
Second, molded pulp is biodegradable. This means that it will break down over time and won’t leave any harmful toxins behind.
And finally, molded pulp is renewable. That’s because the fibers used to make molded pulp can be regrown over and over again.
So, you can feel good knowing that you’re not contributing to the problem, but rather helping to solve it.
Can Molded Pulp Be Recycled?
Molded pulp is made from recycled paper, so the answer to this question is yes, the molded pulp can be recycled.
In fact, it’s one of the most environmentally friendly materials available, because it’s made from a renewable resource (paper) and can be recycled over and over again without losing any of its quality or strength.
This makes molded pulp a popular choice for packaging because it’s durable and can be easily recycled.
It also means that molded pulp is often a more sustainable option than other materials, such as plastic or foam.
The Different Types of Molded Pulp Recycling Options
Let’s talk about the different types of recycled molded pulp options.
- The most common type of molded pulp is made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper, which is then broken down into a slurry using chemicals and water, and then re-formed into molds. This type of molded pulp can theoretically be recycled multiple times
- Another option is recyclable molding fiber, which consists of 25-30% post-consumer paper and 70- 75% virgin paper, with a few additives that help it hold its form. This type of molded pulp can be recycled once, but not multiple times like the post-consumer version.
- Finally, there are biodegradable molding fibers that come in different grades depending on their biodegradability. These are usually free of any dyes or inks and made from 100% renewable resources such as bamboo or sugarcane fibers.
They can also be composted or disposed of naturally without harm to the environment.
Conclusion
So, what’s the verdict? Can molded pulp be recycled? Well, yes it can be recycled. There are some facilities that can recycle molded pulp and turn it back into paper, while other facilities will recycle the paper and create new molded pulp.
