Paper Recycling Conference: A Proud History

It may not be true that the Paper Stock Industries (PSI) chapter of ISRI (the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc.) started its specifications efforts with Egyptian papyrus, as noted with humor by PSI member Wayne DiCastri of Pioneer Paper Stock Co., Minneapolis, Minn.

But in presentations at the 2010 Paper Recycling Conference offered by DiCastri and others on the PSI Standards and Practices Committee, the long-standing and ongoing role of PSI specifications was illustrated in several ways.

Current Standards and Practices Committee Chair Sandy Rosen of Great Lakes Recycling, Roseville, Mich., commented that the PSI specifications circular has long served to “set up a middle ground between buyers and sellers” of scrap paper.

The specifications, said Rosen, are not “gospel.” Instead, he commented, “It’s up to the buyer and seller to determine exactly what is permitted.”

DiCastri, after first making his Egyptian papyrus reference, next showed a photo from the mid-20th century taken of the people who helped put together what is believed to be the first PSI circular, from 1947-48.

DiCastri said the preamble to that document is notable in stating that the basis for the document to help establish “an atmosphere of good faith” in transactions that is “necessary to the maintenance of good feelings.”

The specifications have helped define terms such as “out-throws” and” prohibitives,” noted DiCastri, as well as some grades that have largely faded away (such as computer print-out paper) and others that are in the process of being added (such as residential mixed paper).

Committee member Ralph Simon gave an update on work being done to expand some definitions in the circular (about 40 such words were identified, said Simon). The committee is also considering re-naming the “telephone directories” grade to “bound directories” to include a larger volume of similar scrap materials.

Earlier in the conference, PSI announced the winners of its four $2,000 student scholarships for 2010, and throughout the event PSI conducted a raffle to raise funds for future scholarship winners.

The 2010 Paper Recycling Conference was held June 13-15 at the Chicago Marriott Magnificent Mile in that city’s downtown.