From yesterday (August 20) Aylesford Newsprint, which currently reprocesses paper from kerbside collections and recycling banks into 100% recycled premium grade newsprint at its mill in Kent, is accepting old directories for recycling following a reduction in the intensity of inks used in the production process.
Adam Billiald, environment strategy manager at Yell, said: “We have always taken our environmental responsibilities very seriously and have worked with local authorities since 1993 to help increase the number of old Yellow Pages directories which are recycled.
“This development with Aylesford Newsprint now makes it even easier for local authorities and their residents to recycle old Yellow Pages directories,” he added.
According to Yell, Aylesford is the second facility in the UK to accept the directories after AbitibiBowater's Ellesmere Port plant in Cheshire, which began the practice in 2004.
Inks
Yell met with Aylesford Newsprint in October 2006 to discuss the possibility of recovering the telephone directories but the paper mill voiced concerns over removing the ink from copies. (see letsrecycle.com story)
Following improvements in the production process to reduce the intensity of yellow surface colour ink wash used in the directories, Aylesford are now able to accept them. The surface ink was introduced in 2000/01 instead of dyed yellow paper in a bid to aid the recycling process.
Andrew Perkins, recycling operations manager at Aylesford Newsprint, said: “Yell has taken significant steps over the years to ensure the ink levels in the directory are more sympathetic to the recycling process. We are pleased to accept Yellow Pages directories into our recycling mix.”
Speaking to letsrecycle.com, Chris White, recycling manager at Aylesford Newsprint, explained how Yell had made a number of changes in paper and ink to improve recyclability, he said: “They have significantly reduced the ink used and consequently our processes don't have as much problem getting it out.”
Mr White said that as well as changing the ink used, Yell had started publishing on white paper as opposed to yellow, which helps Aylesford Newsprint as the paper they produce is ultimately white. He also said that he did not expect to see a significant increase in paper intake following the admittance of the directories.
Over 28 million copies of the directory were delivered to homes and businesses in 2008, and currently contain an average of 52% recycled fibre content, with all virgin materials derived from sustainably managed forests. Yell reported that independent research from 2007 showed that 66% of households recycle their old Yellow Pages directory.
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