P U L P & PA P E R
South Africa’s critical The South African paper recycling industr y is facing a critical shor tage of various grades of wastepaper, in par ticular pre- and post-consumer kraft cardboard.
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he Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pamsa) is concerned about the shor tage of wastepaper within the South African recycling industr y. The organisation has even warned that should this trend continue, it will put even fur ther pressure on domestic paper mills. “The K3 and K4 paper grades are used in the production of paper packaging such as corrugated cases for the export market and transit of domestic goods,” explains Jane Molony, executive director, Pamsa. With the citrus season now complete and fewer cardboard boxes in circulation, there is less material available to recover. On average, 1.2 million tonnes of wastepaper are recovered in South Africa annually, with more than 90% of this being locally recycled into new paper, packaging and tissue.
Demand exceeds supply The disruption of Covid-19 on supply chains
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WASTEPAPER SHORTAGE
has had a direct effect on the consumption, demand and recovery of paper products. “With offices and schools remaining closed or on rotation during 2020 and early 2021, there was less paper to collect,” says Molony, adding that there is a rising demand for paper packaging with the move to online shopping and to a more environmentally responsible form of packaging. Various large retailers also embraced online shopping and delivery platforms over the last few years. These changes in consumer shopping
behaviour saw the demand for paper packaging – specifically made of brown/kraft paper/ cardboard. This type of wastepaper has proven to be a more renewable and recyclable form of packaging. “The challenge, however, is that – at the same time – South Africa is experiencing a shortage with regard to these specific wastepaper grades that serve as ‘stock’ in the recycling process to manufacture new packaging material.” Along with the disruptions to major international shipping routes, the continued reduction in stock levels is driven by a
