Production Residual
Unused paperboard and fiber scraps generated during the manufacturing and converting processes are recovered before reaching the final end-user. Pre consumer scrap includes the trim from paper machine reels, die-cutting waste from folding carton production, and set-up sheets from printing presses. This material is collected at the plant level and returned directly to the pulp mill for re-pulping, keeping high-quality fibers in the production cycle.
It excludes any post-consumer waste that has been used by a consumer and returned through municipal collection systems.
Fiber Recovery
Collecting and reprocessing this waste is a highly efficient process because the material is clean, uniform, and free from food or tape contamination. In pre consumer scrap handling, the waste board is compressed into high-density bales and shipped to the recycling plant where it is mixed with virgin or other recycled fibers. This supply stream is predictable in quality, allowing paper mills to maintain consistent furnish properties and avoid the contaminants that plague municipal recycling.
This consistency makes it a valuable resource for high-grade packaging boards.
Certification Claim
Mill certificates must distinguish between pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled fibers to comply with international environmental labeling standards. This distinction is audited regularly to ensure that packaging claims are accurate. Using this material helps reduce the packaging footprint without compromising the structural properties of the board.
