At a glance, recycled paper might seem like a small change—but it’s one with big environmental impact. Whether you're printing, crafting, or packaging, choosing recycled stock is a simple yet powerful way to reduce waste, conserve resources, and make a positive statement about your brand or lifestyle.

But what exactly is recycled paper? How is it made, and does it really measure up to virgin paper in quality?

Let’s dig into everything you need to know about recycled paper—and why making the switch to UK-made, 100% recycled stock is a step worth celebrating.

♻️ What Is Recycled Paper?

Recycled paper is made from waste paper that has been collected, cleaned, and reprocessed into new sheets. Rather than going to landfill, paper from offices, printers, packaging, and households is given a second life. That’s the beauty of a circular economy: reuse, regenerate, and reduce impact.

There are two main types of recycled paper:

• Post-consumer waste: Paper that’s already been used and recycled by consumers—think office documents, packaging, or magazines.
• Pre-consumer waste: Industrial offcuts and trimmings collected before they ever reached the consumer.

All of our recycled stock is sourced from verified UK recyclers and manufactured locally to reduce carbon emissions and support domestic industry.

🏭 How Is Recycled Paper Made?

It’s a fascinating process that blends science and sustainability:

1. Collection: Waste paper is gathered from recycling bins, businesses, and sorting facilities.
2. Sorting & Cleaning: The paper is sorted by grade and type, then stripped of ink, adhesives, and other contaminants.
3. Pulping: It’s then mixed with water and broken down into a slurry called pulp.
   
4. Screening & De-Inking: Any remaining particles are filtered out to ensure a clean base.
5. Refining  (optional): Some pulps are whitened or colour-adjusted depending on the final use.
6. Sheet Formation: The pulp is rolled into large sheets, dried, and trimmed into usable formats—like our beautiful recycled paper and card ranges.

🌍 Why Choose Recycled Paper?

Here’s where you can feel good about your choice.

By using recycled paper, you’re helping to:

• Save trees – Every tonne of recycled paper saves around 17 trees.
• Reduce energy consumption – It takes 40% less energy to produce.
• Cut landfill waste – Less paper ends up in the bin.
• Lower water usage – Recycled paper production uses less water overall.
• Minimise your carbon footprint – Especially when you choose UK-made products like ours.

Using recycled stock isn’t just responsible—it’s rewarding.

🧐 Is There a Difference in Quality?

It’s a fair question—and the answer might surprise you.

Modern recycled paper can be just as high-quality as virgin stock. Advances in recycling tech mean our copy paper is smooth, white, and printer-friendly. And our recycled cards come in a wide range of textures and tones—from crisp and clean to rustic and natural—depending on your project needs.

🧪 Common Questions We Hear

“Does recycled stock always have a rougher texture?”
Not at all! Our copy-grade paper is as smooth as any standard printer paper.

“Is recycled paper acid-free?”
We can't always guarantee acid-free properties, as recycled stock depends on its original source. However, many of our lines are naturally low in acidity. If acid-free is critical for your project, get in touch and we’ll recommend the best option.

“Is the colour consistent?”
Yes, especially in our premium recycled ranges. Because it’s made in the UK with high-quality controls, our recycled stock offers great consistency across batches.

🛒 Ready to Make the Switch?

Whether you’re an eco-conscious business, designer, or stationery lover, switching to recycled stock is an easy way to align your values with your purchases.

👉 Explore our best-selling recycled papers here
👉 Browse our premium recycled card collection here

Let’s keep paper circular, local, and beautiful—one sheet at a time.