Papermaking 101
How we make our paper...
1. We start with bales of Old Corrugated Containers (OCC) from Recycling Centers.
Examples: Pizza Boxes, Grocery Store Boxes...
2. We feed the OCC into a large blender (pulper), which mixes water with the paper to form pulp. The rest of the process is designed to remove contaminants from the fiber so it can be used to make a new sheet of paper. Normal contaminants are dirt, staples, wire, tape, plastics, adhesives, and short fibers that will not contribute to making a high-quality sheet of recycled paper. These contaminants are segregated and sent to the boiler for fuel or to a landfill.
3. The pulp is processed through refiners to develop necessary strength then sent onto the paper machine to be formed into a sheet of paper.
4. The paper is then fed through 64 dryer cans where the paper is dried with steam.
5. After winding the paper onto a reel, it is cut into rolls.
6. The rolls of paper are stacked into the warehouse waiting for delivery to box plant customers by truck or rail.
