Recycling Paper - where exactly does the ink go?!

So we're very good at collecting and recycling paper to make in to new paper - but where does the ink go? A good question and one we have an answer to if you read on

When all the paper we collect goes for recycling how exactly is the ink removed?   

Paper sent for recycling is de-inked by either washing or flotation - or a combination of both methods:

1. Washing - As the paper is pulped, soaps are added which separate the ink from the paper and allow it to be washed away in water which is then cleaned and re-used.

2. Flotation - Air is passed through the pulp producing a foam which captures at least half of the ink and can be skimmed off.

After de-inking the pulp may also bleached using hydrogen peroxide which breaks down into water and oxygen on disposal.  Although the de-inking process uses water and chemicals it is still less harmful to the environment than the manufacturing process of making new paper.

Ink that is removed from recycled pulp can be burned to generate energy to run the paper mill, or sold to make useful materials such as compost or gravel for roads.