Printer Paper Created from Recycled Plastic Bottles

Tearproof and waterproof paper may be coming soon to a laser printer near you. And it is all recycled from used plastic bottles.

Printer paper has to be of a suitable standard to hold the ink or toner and most of it does not come from recycled sources. Japanese chemical and pharmaceutical company Teijin aims to change that, by removing paper from the printing equation completely.

According to geek.com, Teijin and Nisshinbo Postal Chemical Co. have worked together to create what they call ECOPET paper. It’s made from used plastic bottles containing PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The new eco-friendly paper is the same thickness as a typical sheet of printer paper, but cannot be easily torn, and because it is made from plastic, will not fall apart when it is wet.

The developers say ECOPET paper is suitable for use in laser printers, but can also be drawn on directly with pens and pencils. It does not have a glossy or film coating, so can be glued and cut just like normal paper. And as it is just a sheet of plastic, there’s nothing to stop it being recycled over and over again.

ECOPET paper could also be used where conventional paper cannot be used. Geek.com says outdoor setting, labeling and packaging of frozen goods are good examples.

There’s no word on pricing but Teijin and Nisshinbo say they will focus first on business consumers.