The importance of auditing wastepaper cannot be overstated. The process involves visiting the customer site, evaluating the quality of wastepaper, and determining the best outlet for it. The reason behind the need to audit is because whilst different paper mills accept the same grade of recycled paper or card, they often have different quality expectations. Some mills will only accept high standards, while others will accept marginally less. Auditing helps us to match the right material to the right mill based on the requirements of the supplier and the end user.
The benefits of auditing wastepaper
Reduce instances of rejection
One of the key benefits of auditing paper waste is that it helps to prevent the negative fallout from bad quality. For instance, if wastepaper is high in moisture, a mill may negotiate a lower price for that stock. If the moisture level is over the acceptable level of 10-12%, it becomes a moisture claim. The worst-case scenario is that the mill may reject the wastepaper altogether, which will result in it being moved around and incurring costs. Alternatively, the loss can be split, or negotiations made on how to deal with it. By carrying out proper audits, these situations can be reduced, resulting in reduced paperwork, transportation costs, and the impact on carbon footprint.
Reduce risk of fines
During a wastepaper audit, we head to the customer’s site to determine the quality of wastepaper. This process involves checking the moisture levels at random of ten to fifteen bales and averaging it. Additionally, all grades of wastepaper must meet the EN643 European codes of conduct specification. Depending on the type of wastepaper being bought, a bale may need to be broken into to gauge the composition of the material within it. This process is particularly crucial for mixed grades and cardboard as they are not the cleanest, and it is essential to ensure that what is being bought is legally exportable in compliance with contamination levels. Failure to do so could result in hefty fines if stopped at border control and spot tested.
Best practice advice
When we see how suppliers store their paper waste, they can be advised on how best to protect it. Every grade of paper is a set grade, but everyone will have their own idea of what that consists of. For example, Multigrade means different things to different people. If an audit is not carried out, wastepaper may be sent to a mill that will bounce it back, causing delays and losses so as the paper recycling experts, we are able to give them best practice advice on this.
Obtain the best price!
Auditing wastepaper helps our suppliers to get the best pricing for their waste material. It is impossible to determine pricing through pictures alone because a touch and a good visual evaluation is needed. Sometimes, an audit may result in the price being adjusted negatively but, in many cases, we have found a good number can be positively affected after auditing.
In conclusion, auditing wastepaper is crucial for suppliers, mills, and the environment. By matching wastepaper to the best mill, fallout from bad quality can be prevented, reducing paperwork, transportation costs, and carbon footprint. Wastepaper auditing also helps to protect wastepaper, ensures that wastepaper is legally exportable with contamination levels, and gets the best pricing for waste material. Therefore, it is essential to carry out proper audits to ensure that wastepaper is disposed of correctly, benefiting everyone involved.