The new paper-sorting plant, set up by the Recovered Materials Foundation, has enabled more types of paper to be collected and sorted into a wide range of grades for different markets.

The plant now employs 16 full-time staff, sorting more than 35 tonnes of material a day. The enthusiasm of Christchurch people for recycling paper has helped reduce the amount going to landfill and created jobs. Some paper, however is causing a problem for the Onyx collectors.

“We’re getting more loose boxes and paper than ever,” says collector Chris. “It’s almost impossible to pick up individual pieces of paper with thick gloves while trying to sort an average recycling crate every 30 seconds, not to mention the litter risk from loose paper.”

Householders can help by putting all paper products into secured shopping bags. Paper does not need to be sorted. Just flatten any box board containers (cereal or soap-powder packets) by undoing the flaps and put them in a plastic supermarket bag along with your newspapers, glossy inserts, magazines and writing paper. Tie the handles together and put it on top of your recycling crate for collection.

The exception to this is milk cartons and egg trays/cartons which should not be flattened and should be kept loose in the crate. Clean milk cartons are used by Trees for Canterbury to grow tree seedlings and egg trays/cartons are reusable if kept intact.