The Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has provided the funding, as part of its campaign to increase production of recycled printing and business grades by 150,000 tonnes per year (PrintWeek, 17 March).

The Paper Magic scheme will collect the A4 white office paper waste from schools surrounding Apsley, which it will turn into a  new commercial grade of paper to go back to the schools.

Apsley Paper Trail education officer Hugo Van Kempen said the project aims to sign up around 600  schools within a one-hour drive of the Paper Trail's Frogmore mill in Hemel Hempstead. Project partner Paper Planet, part of the Pearce Recycling Group, will collect the waste.

Schools would earn points for each kilogram of paper collected. These can then be used to purchase Paper Magic products or provide trips to Frogmore mill.

Story by Andy Scott