ASTM International

Standard Guide for Validating Recycled Content in Packaging Paper and Paperboard
 N D5663

Annotation

This guide provides an approach for both the calculation and the substantiation of recycled content of finished packaging paper and paperboard products.Amass balance approach is recommended for use by manufacturers since no physical or chemical test method is currently available to determine absolute recycled content of a finished paper product. Calculations are based on time weighted average flows which are based on furnish component flow rates and consistency. Recommended approaches to the calculations include by batch or by time weighted average for a specific grade or similar grades. It is not recommended that average recycle content be allocated by mathematical apportionment rather than by actual fiber content. That is, if 50% recycled fiber is used over time that is the time weighted average. One cannot use this same data to report 50% of the production is 100% recycled.

Percentage calculations are based on lb/ton or kg/ tonne with the time frame constrained by machine and grade (see 10.1.1.1 and 10.1.1.2).

Pulping and recycling yields are not used in these calculations. The calculations of recycled fiber content in the finished product is solely a function of type of fibers in the furnish flows, the volume of flow and the time period considered.

This guide covers (1) recycled content of packaging paper and paperboard products that contain any amount or kind of recycled fiber; and (2) methods to calculate and substantiate the level(s) of recycled fiber content claimed by an agreement between the buyer and the seller.

This guide may be used with or without modification to calculate or substantiate the recycled content of packaging paper and paperboard products when recovered nonfibrous materials (for example, filler) are a part of the recycled fiber furnish. Limited guidance is provided for appropriate modifications to this guide for the determination of amount of recycled nonfibrous materials in paper products.