How to Start a Paper Recycling Plant

Recycling paper is a profitable venture as waste paper is a readily available raw material. Recycling reduces the wastage of water in paper production and reduces air and water pollution. The process of recycling paper involves soaking waste paper and pulp to separate the fibers. The pulp is then screened to remove detrimental materials like pins. The pulp is then de-inked and thickened before it is washed. If white paper is required, the pulp is bleached before being rolled into sheets. You can recycle paper mechanically or by using automated machines.

Things You'll Need

• Waste-paper storage container
• Conveyor
• Heating container

Instructions

1. • 1
     Conduct market research. Find out who the prospective buyers of recycled paper will be. Recycled paper products are ideal for newspaper firms, stationery industries, schools and offices using paper products. Your products will include paper bags, tissue paper, envelopes, boxes and newsprint paper.
     
   • 2
     Get capital. Initial capital outlay will depend on whether you'll recycle the paper manually (slow but cheap) or automatically (fast but expensive). You can use a loan from a financial institution that you'll repay as you begin selling paper products. You can also use personal savings. Operation costs will be greatly subsidized when the papers begin selling.
     
   • 3
     Register the business. Obtain a business license from your state. Obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) to allow you to employ staff at your plant. You can also register your business with the Paper Industry Association Council.
     
   • 4
     Set up the plant. Purchase the conveyors, boilers, pulp-holding containers and install them at the plant location. Chemical feeder pipes and power installations have to be installed on site. Enlist a plant/mechanical engineer to oversee the installation. Conduct test runs to fine-tune the plant before full operation begins.
     
   • 5
     Hire staff. For large automated plants, you'll need engineers, crane operators, industrial technicians, packaging staff and drivers for transport. Smaller and mechanical plants may only require loading, operation and packaging personnel.
     
   • 6
     Market your products. Advertise your products with newsprint businesses and stationery users like offices, schools and printing firms that deal in papers. You can also create an easy-to-navigate website for online clients, besides advertising in the electronic media.