Recycled Paper vs Agricultural Waste Paper: What’s the difference?
When it comes to choosing the right printing paper, sustainability is no longer a “nice to have”, it’s a necessity. Many people turn to recycled paper as the eco-friendly choice, but there’s another innovative alternative making waves: agricultural waste paper. At Simply Paper, we’re proud to supply Australia’s only truly sustainable printing paper, made from agricultural waste.
But how does it compare to recycled paper? Let’s explore the environmental footprint, benefits, and performance of both.
What Is Recycled Paper?
Recycled paper is made by collecting post-consumer or industrial waste paper, like newspapers, packaging, and office waste and turning it into pulp through deinking and bleaching.
The Benefits of Recycled Paper
Protects forests: Reduces the need for virgin wood pulp
Cuts landfill waste: Keeps paper from emitting methane as it decomposes.
Saves resources: Uses less water and energy compared to virgin paper.
The Limitations of Recycled Paper
Harsh processing: Deinking and bleaching often involve strong chemicals. Chlorine bleaching in particular can release harmful byproducts.
Quality issues: Recycled fibres weaken with each use, so recycled paper is often duller, less smooth, and more prone to jams in printers.
Limited lifespan: Paper fibres can only be recycled about 7 times before they’re unusable.
Recycled paper is a good step forward but it’s not the end of the sustainability story.
What Is Agricultural Waste Paper?
Simply Paper is made from agricultural waste like sugarcane stems and leaves. Instead of being burned after harvest, these residues are transformed into high-quality, eco-friendly printing paper.
The Benefits of Agricultural Waste Paper
Lower carbon footprint: Up to 29% lower environmental impact than recycled paper and 47% lower than wood-pulp paper.
No deforestation: Made without cutting down lots of trees.
Cleaner production: Lighter processing avoids the harsh bleaching and inking associated with recycled paper.
Premium quality: Bright, smooth, and jam-free, perfect for professional printing needs.
Supports farmers: Creates value from agricultural by-products that would otherwise be discarded or burned.
This makes it a next-generation sustainable paper solution. Better for people, business, and the planet.
Why Choose Agricultural Waste Paper Over Recycled Paper?
Recycled paper is important; it reduces landfill waste and saves resources. But it comes with trade-offs: quality issues, harsh bleaching, and a limited recycling lifespan.
Simply Paper’s agricultural waste paper delivers:
Better sustainability metrics than recycled paper
High-quality performance equal to or better than standard printing paper
Social and environmental benefits that go beyond recycling
It’s the smarter choice for businesses, schools, and individuals who want eco-friendly printing paper without compromise.
If you’re passionate about sustainability, both recycled paper and agricultural waste paper are better than conventional virgin wood pulp. But if you’re looking for the best balance of eco-friendly impact and printing performance, agricultural waste paper leads the way.
At Simply Paper, we’re proud to be Australia’s only supplier of truly sustainable printing paper. Choosing our paper means you’re not just printing, you’re protecting forests, reducing carbon, supporting farmers, and making a difference for future generations.
Ready to make the switch?
Explore our range of sustainable printing paper and join us in shaping a world where paper is loved, not lost.
