Paper magic
To divert a valuable raw material from landfill and to provide a viable waste paper collection and recycling scheme for the education sector.
Background
Paper Magic is an innovative closed-loop paper recycling scheme which will encourage schools to collect white waste paper, transport it to partner recycling paper mills and reprocess it to create a new brand paper and products.
Created by the Paper Trail Project, the scheme is based at Frogmore Mill in Hertfordshire, home of the world's first commercial paper making machine, where a 100 year old, steam driven machine still operates, making recycled paper.
Project partners include Robert Horne Group, Pearce Recycling, Crowley Esmonde, M-real, and Dacorum Borough Council.
Objectives
To collect & recycle over 400 tonnes of waste paper in the first phase, and 10,000 tonnes per annum thereafter, from municipal sources including 563 schools within a one-hour drive of the Apsley Paper Trail offices, Hertfordshire.
To develop a suite of branded paper products (containing a minimum of 95% of post consumer recycled paper) to be marketed and retailed to the education sector nationally.
Update
Two new Market Development Officers and a Brand Development Manager have been appointed to recruit schools to the project, produce and education resource and information pack, and to begin the process of developing and marketing the Paper Magic brand.
122 tonnes of specially produced Paper Magic coloured paper have been produced by Frogmore Mill on it's 100 year old, steam driven paper making machine. This will be exchanged for Paper Points earned by schools.
- 563 secondary schools have been contacted from 5 counties; and
- 6 FE Colleges & 2 & Universities have also been invited to join the scheme.
So far, 96 schools and 3 FE Colleges have enrolled, and the initial collections have totalised approximately 22 tonnes.
Bushey Meads School in Hertsmere were the first school to collect the required half a tonne to start their waste paper collection by Pearce Recycling on 25 July 2005. West Herts College, Watford and Dacorum campuses were the first FE College to send over two tonnes of paper to Frogmore Mill on 28 August 2005.
53 local authorities have been contacted, and Hertfordshire County Council and Dacorum Borough Council are already supporting the scheme by providing access to recycling credits.
