1.2 The methods are intended for the resolution of disputes regarding the quality of recyclable materials that may arise during trading. These methods do not provide an Acceptance Quality Level (AQL) or acceptance criteria for recovered paper, and do not intend to guide the disposition of material that is found to be off-specification during sampling and inspection. Disposition is a contractual matter.

1.3 These methods do not address the safety problems, if any, associated with their use. The user is responsible for following appropriate safety and health practices.

1.4 The sampling methods herein provide guidance in obtaining representative field samples. These methods are derived from common industry practices that seek to balance the value of the commodity with the cost of sampling and testing. Due to this sensitivity to economics, the field sample sizes are tailored to suit industry practices. The Clean Washington Center takes no position respecting the statistical validity of the sampling methods presented herein. Users of this method are expressly advised that determination of the statistical validity of sampling is entirely their own responsibility. Other methods for acquiring a field sample, particularly the techniques of statistical process control (SPC) and trend analysis, may allow the estimation of reliable attribute values using fewer samples over a longer period of time.

2.0 Definitions

2.1 Attributes - a property of the paper which is used as a benchmark by the buyer and seller to classify the paper as acceptable or not acceptable. See Attachment 1 for a list of attributes for each paper grade. Two examples are either containing or exceeding the allowable amount of outthrows and either containing or exceeding the allowable moisture content.

2.2 Bale - mass of compressed material that is bound with wrap or wire for ease in handling and transportation. Recovered paper is typically traded in bales.

2.3 Paper Grade - categories of classifications of reclaimed paper and fiber of different quality and characteristics. The methods presented herein were field tested for the following grades listed, however, many of the sampling and test protocols are applicable to all types and grades of paper and fiber.

2.3.1 Computer Printout (CPO) - white sulfite or sulfate papers, untreated and uncoated, in forms manufactured for printed output from data processing machines and laser printers. The paper may be white or white with the light green or blue stripes typically used in impact printers.

2.3.2 Sorted White Ledger (SWL) - printed or unprinted sheets, shavings, bond, writing paper, and all other papers which have similar fiber content. This grade must be free of treated, coated, padded, or heavily printed stock.

2.3.3 Corrugated Containers - baled corrugated containers having liners of either test liner, jute or kraft.

2.3.4 Newsprint (ONP) - baled newspapers containing less than 5% of other grades of paper.

2.3.5 Special News De-ink Quality (SONP) - baled, sorted, fresh newspapers that are sun-burned. This grade does not include magazines, white blank, pressroom over-issues, and paper grades other than newsprint, except for the normal percentage of inserts and colored sections in newspapers.

2.3.6 Mixed Paper/Residential Curbside (RCM) - a mixture of various qualities of paper, typical of residential waste generation, and not limited as to type of packing or fiber content.

2.3.7 Sorted Office Paper (SOW) - dry papers, typically generated by offices, containing primarily white and colored ledger, and generally free of groundwood and unbleached fiber. This grade may include a small percentage of groundwood computer printout and fax paper.

3.0 Apparatus

Not applicable.

4.0 Procedure

4.1 The methods for sampling and testing recovered paper included in this document are listed in
Table 700-1.

Table 700-1 - Test Methods for Recovered Paper

Method Number	Title
701	Obtain Field Sample of Recovered Paper
702	Reduce Field Sample of Recovered Paper to Test Weight and Characterize Sample Composition
711	Determination of Moisture Content for Recovered Paper
712	Identification of Printing Process (Ink Type) for Newsprint
713	Repulp Test Sample of Recovered Paper
714	Determination of Pulp Consistency
715	Determination of Ash Content for Recovered Paper
716	Determination of Stickies and Debris for Recovered Paper
717	Classification of Fiber Length for Recovered Paper
718	Formation of Handsheets and Determination of Dye Content
719	Spot Staining of Handsheets for Groundwood Identification

4.2 Collection of field sample(s) are discussed in Method 701 - Obtain Field Sample of Recovered Paper. All applicable tests will be performed on the same field sample.

4.3 Categorization of recovered paper and reduction of the field sample to a test sample weight is discussed in Method 702 - Reducing Field Sample of Paper to Test Size.

4.4 The sequence of methods and testing protocols is shown in Figure 700-1. It is not necessary to perform all tests, only for disputed attributes.

5.0 Calculations

Not applicable.

6.0 Report

Not applicable.

7.0 Reference Documents

7.1 Method 701 Obtain Field Sample of Recovered Paper

7.2 Method 702 Reduce Field Sample of Recovered Paper to Test Weight and Characterize

Composition of Sample.

* Methods 711 and 712, if conducted, must be performed prior to repulping the sample.

Figure 700-1 Testing Sequence

Methods for Evaluating Paper Grades Method

for Evaluating Recovered Paper Grades

717

Fiber Length

Classification

718 **

Handsheet Formation and Dye Content

719 **

Groundwood

Identification

713

Pulp

Consistency

702

Reduce to

Test Weight and Characterize

Compostion

713

Repulp

Test Sample

** Methods 718

and 719 are not applicable to corrugated containers or newsprint.

Method 701 Obtain Field Sample of Recovered Paper

1.0 Scope

1.1 This method describes how to obtain field sample(s) of recovered paper stock. This sampling method applies to any paper grade. To reduce a field sample to test weight, refer to Method 702 - Reduce Field Sample of Recovered Paper to Test Weight and Characterize Sample Composition.

1.2 The sampling methods herein provide guidance in obtaining representative field samples. These methods are derived from common industry practices that seek to balance the value of the commodity with the cost of sampling and testing. Due to this sensitivity to economics, the field sample sizes are tailored to suit industry practices. The Clean Washington Center takes no position respecting the statistical validity of the sampling methods presented herein. Users of this method are expressly advised that determination of the statistical validity of sampling is entirely their own responsibility. Other methods for acquiring a field sample, particularly the techniques of statistical process control (SPC) and trend analysis, may allow the estimation of reliable attribute values using fewer samples over a longer period of time.

1.3 This procedure does not address the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. The user is responsible for following appropriate safety and health practices.

1.4 This method is intended to be used for the resolution of disputes regarding the quality of recyclable materials that may arise during trading.

2.0 Definitions

2.1 Lot - collection of baled or unbaled material that is presented as one parcel. All the material in this parcel is either processed at the same time, with the same baler, or arrives from one supplier on one delivery.

3.0 Apparatus

3.1 Bale wire cutter.

3.2 Sealable plastic bags or containers.

3.3 Labels and marking pen.

3.4 Logsheet for Method 701.

4.0 Procedure

4.1 Count and record the number of bales in the lot as N. Determine and record the number of bales to be sampled (n) from Table 701-1, based on the total number of bales in the lot.

Table 701-1 - Determination of Sample Size

Total Number of Bales in Lot (N)	Number of Bales to be Sampled (n)
2 - 25	2
26 - 150	3
151 - 1,200	5
1,201 - 35,000	8
35,001 and over	13

4.2 Number all the bales in the lot in a sequential numbering scheme. Place numbered tags corresponding to the bale numbers in a bag or box. Draw tags randomly from the box or bag one at a time until the n tags are drawn. Pull the designated bales (according to numbered tags drawn) from the lot.

4.3 Prepare a dry, clean surface where each sample bale can be broken apart. Clean area if needed.

4.4 Determine the proportion of each sample bale to collect.

4.4.1 If the paper grade is sorted white ledger, computer printout, or corrugated containers, remove approximately 3% by weight (estimated visually) from the center sampling zone of the bale as shown in Figure 701-1.

4.4.2 If the paper grade is newsprint, mixed, office paper, or any grade other than sorted white ledger, computer printout, or corrugated containers, remove approximately 5% by weight (estimated visually) from the center sampling zone of the bale as shown in Figure 701-1.

4.5 Remove the sample increments from the bale. During removal, visually confirm whether the extracted material appears representative of the contents of the entire bale. Record findings on the logsheet.

4.6 Place the collected sample increments inside plastic bag(s) or container(s) and seal to prevent moisture from entering or leaving the bag or container.

4.7 Label all samples with the date, source, and unique sample identification number. Also indicate the paper grade and the approximate volume (in percent) of the bale material that was sampled. Record this information on the logsheet.

5.0 Calculations