RERUN

Feasible and scalable reuse of paper and cardboard

The paper and board sector is under pressure. Growing raw material shortages, a moderate economic climate and high energy costs have put a dent in the sector in recent years. According to UCLL University of Applied Sciences, the solution lies not only in recycling, but also in high-quality, sustainable and efficient reuse of paper and cardboard.

Most packaging waste comes from paper and cardboard. On average, 90% of that waste is recycled. Although paper and cardboard recycling is finite: after about 2 to 5 times, the fibres become too weak to make a cardboard box or other high-quality application from it again, for example. An additional challenge is that the price of paper and cardboard is rising as raw materials are depleting and demand from the e-commerce sector remains high.

Reuse and repurpose with RERUN
Hogeschool UCLL is therefore looking for a long-term solution for companies in its project RERUN. Their focus is not on recycling but on reuse and repurposing due to the price increases and limited lifespan of paper and cardboard.

In cooperation with various partners, the university is investigating how it can, for instance, automate sorting and processing processes and link them to a smart logistics chain. To this end, UCLL is joining forces with various manufacturing companies, customisation companies and umbrella organisations. And their ambition is big: to embed the reuse of paper and cardboard in companies and organisations all over Flanders.