Background of the Study

Paper Recycling is the process of paper, a valuable material that can be

reused and manufactured into new items. (Hughes, 2022). It also defined as
the as the process of reutilizing waste paper for reuse (Swamy, 2022). In 9th
century in Japan, the first ever use of paper recycling was recorded (Northeast
Recycling Council, 2019). According to an article of Northeast Recycling
Council (2019), Ancient Japanese people began recycling paper almost as soon
as they learned how to produce it and recycling became part of paper
production and consumption. In an article of McCarthy (2016), he presented
that William Rittenhouse established British America's first paper mill on the
Monoshone Creek, a tributary to the Wissahickon, in 1690. He also added that
it was the only paper mill in the colonies for twenty years. According to the
study of Britt (2020), By the 14th century a number of paper mills existed in
Europe, particularly in Spain, Italy, France, and Germany. He said that the
invention of printing in the 1450s brought a vastly increased demand for
paper. In 1970, The first Earth Day was declared on 22nd April, and the
concept of modern recycling was born (Hinojosa, 2022).

Through production of papers, it has led to numerous negative effects on the

environment. It has been shown to be responsible for deforestation and
greenhouse gas production (CARTLY, 2023). In another study of Jiang et. al
(2021), manufacturing of paper has caused to release gases like nitrogen
dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide which are responsible for climate
change. It is also shown that the discharge of large wastewater from paper
industries increases the biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen
demand leading to concentration which affects aquatic life to extinction (Jiang
et al., 2022). Due to overwhelming effect of paper production to the
environment, alternatives like paper recycling have been introduced to prevent
more waste generation and to conserve resources and energy that helps save
the environment (Hughes M., 2022).

As of today, various studies have shown and presented similar findings that
paper recycling is one of the ways to help to reduce environmental impacts.
According to a study of Hughes (2022), She claims that paper recycling helps
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. She also presented that it takes 70% less
energy and water to recycle paper than to create new paper products from
trees. She even added that recycling just one ton of paper saves 17 trees as
well as 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space. In another study of Wiggins (2024), it
says that recycling paper is the environmental-friendly. He claims that it uses
less energy, water, and produces lower carbon emissions than the
manufacturing of non-recycled paper and at the same time reduces the amount
of waste to landfill. Thus, researchers have came up with the study of paper
recycling as it is considered as one of best way to sustain resources, energy
and the environment. It is also a great contribution for future researchers who
may want to replicate our capstone project, since presenting our results,
findings, and recommendations guide and inspires them in the field of paper
recycling. It offers them to optimize recycling process, improve more the quality
of the prototype or even explore new avenues for research in paper recycling
technology. Another importance of this project is, it helps contribute to address
major environmental concerns such as poor solid waste management here in
the locality of La Trinidad, Benguet (Og-oget, 2014). Furthermore, this study
also aims to educate and spread awareness campaigns to residents which
encourages them to incorporate paper recycling in their daily life, hence
making a positive impact for a cleaner and greener future of the locality of La
Trinidad.