Survey on Paper Recycling Potential in the Head Offices of Mazandaran Province

Recycling is one of the best alternatives in solid wastes management. Recycling has few benefits from the viewpoint of economics and environmental. Paper and cardboard are the valuable recyclable materials in solid wastes. The rate of paper recycling is 35% in world. The major production source of paper and cardboard wastes is private and governmental offices and organizations. To be informed about paper production is very important in the solid wastes recycling.Thus, the aim of this study was to determine production rate of paper and cardboard waste and also to determine paper recycling potential in the 20 head offices of Mazandaran province. This study was conducted in the 20 head offices of at province center. The offices were selected by chance. This study was conducted four months in 2006. paper waste was separated after suspension of work. Collected material weighed on the sensitive scales. Separation and measuring was done for a week per month. The results showed that more than 2 tons of paper waste was produced in the twenty offices. The maximum and minimum of paper production was in education and recycling organization, respectively. The maximum and minimum of production rate was 2.08 and 0.192 kg per capita in month that was in the education and Jihad-e-Agriculture organization, respectively. Also the maximum and minimum of paper waste was produced at first work day of week (Saturday) and last work day of week (Thursday), respectively. However, it was not significantly (P >0.05). Paperrecycling operation and marketing was done in an office. Findings of this study indicated that office solid waste management needs more notice in Iran. And also calculations showed that paper recycling is economical.