Newspaper is a lower grade paper because it has already been recycled numerous times, while printer paper is higher grade paper. The grade of paper is determined by fiber length, which shortens after each trip through the recycling process. After being recycled five to seven times, the fibers become too short to make new paper and will need to be mixed with virgin fibers, according to the EPA.
There are five basic paper grade categories, according to the EPA.
- Old Corrugated Containers – You might know this as “corrugated cardboard.” It’s most often found in boxes and product packaging.
- Mixed Paper – This is a broad category of paper that includes things like mail, catalogs, phone books and magazines.
- Old Newspapers –Mills use newspapers, a lower grade paper, to make more newsprint, tissue and other products.
- High Grade Deinked Paper – This quality paper consists of things like envelopes, copy paper and letterhead that has gone through the printing process and had the ink removed.
- Pulp Substitutes – This paper is usually discarded scraps from mills.