For many years, the waxed paper industry has found ways of re-using its post-industrial waste. Waxed paper is used for twist and foldwrap to pack confectionery, yeast and bread. However waxed paper wrappers are also used to pack cheese and fastfood. It is a fully compostable (biodegradable) material, but is also recyclable in a variety of ways. The high quality of the paper and waxes used, makes the products attractive raw materials.

Disposing of waste, whether post-industrial or post-consumer, to landfill carries an increasingly high cost (or will be prohibited in certain countries). Further the high cost of primary virgin fibre gives an added incentive to find ways of reusing waxed paper waste.

1/ Recovering secondary fibres to make recycled paper:
Success has been achieved in using a percentage of deinked waxed paper when repulping recovered paper for use in manufacturing recycled paper and board.  The strength of the long fibre pulp used in many grades of waxing base-paper, is very desirable in adding strength to recycled paper.

2/ Building construction.
For many years, waxed paper waste has been used as a filling material for doors.
The strength and sound deadening properties of the shredded waxed paper are greatly sought after. The wax prevents the paper taking up water and compacting down - bulk and the insulation properties are therefore maintained.

3/ Road construction - the manufacture of asphalt
Strong cellulose fibres act as an effective reinforcing agent in making asphalt.  In order to dose a specified percentage of paper fibres into the asphalt core, they are mixed with wax and pressed or pelleted.

Waste paper is shredded in order to recover fibres, which are then prepared for use by beating (refining) and fibrillating. Due to the very bulky nature of the refined fibre, it is then pelleted in a process which could be compared with extrusion. 5-7% of wax is used as a processing and waterproofing agent.

4/ Wax paper for energy recovery
Wax paper has a high calorific value. A considerable amount of energy is recovered when the material is incinerated in appropriate plants, which reuse the heat produced for industrial processes.