There is a growing interest among members of the local community on the value of recycling and the benefits of reducing different types of paper waste, official of a Qatar-based paper factory has said.

Recycling can help Qatar become self-sufficient and self-sustaining by assisting the government focus on “going green” and other environmentally-friendly initiatives, according to Amr Rageh, who is the company director of Elite Paper Recycling.
He explained that methane gas, which is produced by rotting paper (books, magazines, newspapers, and carton boxes, among many others) that end up in landfills, is one of the major air pollutants.
“We are experiencing high amounts of air pollution right now and through recycling, we can play our part in reducing air pollution,” Rageh told Gulf Times on the sidelines of a recent expo on self-sufficiency. 
“If we can use discarded paper by producing new paper products, we are helping to reduce the methane in our environment and in the air we breathe,” he further explained.
Rageh said the factory collects over 100 tonnes of waste paper daily from schools, malls, and other companies, covering only 40% of Qatar. The company can recycle up to 14 tonnes of waste paper in 30 minutes, and can produce fluting and test liners, which are both Kraft paper used to make core pipes, carton boxes, paper bags, and reboard, a lightweight material that has 80% the strength of wood.
According to the company, recycling paper conserves natural resources, saves energy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and keeps landfill space free from other types of trash that can’t be recycled. 
Also, paper that is produced from virgin raw materials uses far more energy and water than if it is manufactured using recycled paper, the company added.
“Recycling activities in Qatar has gained traction…we focused on going to schools or inviting schools and other companies to tour our facilities so we can raise awareness. We want people to learn more about recycling and what happens to a piece of paper when it is discarded,” Rageh said.
The company said one of its major responsibilities is promoting public environmental awareness, especially among students and citizens of Qatar. The factory has a “go green” initiative to keep Qatar clean and conserve its natural resources for the future generation.
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