ASTM D5663-15

Standard Guide for Validating Recycled Content in Packaging Paper and Paperboard

ABSTRACT
This guide covers the standard for the calculation and the substantiation of recycled content of packaging papers and paperboard products. The mass balance approach shall be used to determine absolute recycled content. This guide also covers the recycled content that contain any amount or kind of recycled fiber. Methods to calculate and substantiate levels of such recycled fiber is also covered. Classes and types of paper and paperboard product include, but are not limited to, folding boxboard, set-up boxboard; linearboard and corrugating medium for use in corrugated containers; tubestock; carrier board, bag paper and other related packaging paper and paperboard products.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides an approach for both the calculation and the substantiation of recycled content of finished packaging paper and paperboard products. A mass balance approach is recommended for use by manufacturers since no physical or chemical test method is currently available to determine absolute recycled content of a finished paper product. Calculations are based on time weighted average flows which are based on furnish component flow rates and consistency. Recommended approaches to the calculations include by batch or by time weighted average for a specific grade or similar grades. It is not recommended that average recycle content be allocated by mathematical apportionment rather than by actual fiber content. That is, if 50% recycled fiber is used over time that is the time weighted average. One cannot use this same data to report 50% of the production is 100% recycled.  
1.1.1 Percentage calculations are based on lb/ton or kg/tonne with the time frame constrained by machine and grade (see 10.1.1.1 and 10.1.1.2).  
1.1.2 Pulping and recycling yields are not used in these calculations. The calculations of recycled fiber content in the finished product is solely a function of type of fibers in the furnish flows, the volume of flow and the time period considered.  
1.2 This guide covers (1) recycled content of packaging paper and paperboard products that contain any amount or kind of recycled fiber; and (2) methods to calculate and substantiate the level(s) of recycled fiber content claimed by an agreement between the buyer and the seller.  
1.2.1 This guide may be used with or without modification to calculate or substantiate the recycled content of packaging paper and paperboard products when recovered nonfibrous materials (for example, filler) are a part of the recycled fiber furnish. Limited guidance is provided for appropriate modifications to this guide for the determination of amount of recycled nonfibrous materials in paper products.  
1.3 This guide does not recommend either an amount or a kind of recycled fiber or material to use since (1) the amount and kind of recycled content in a packaging paper or paperboard product should be agreed upon between the buyer and the seller, and (2) the calculation and substantiation procedures recommended may be used for any amount or kind of recycled material agreed upon between the buyer and the seller.  
1.4 The mass balance calculation method recommended by this guide may or may not comply with applicable federal, state, or local laws for recycled content statements intended to be received by consumers. Limited guidance on content statements is in Appendix X1.  
1.5 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 10, of this guide: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2015
• ICS: 85.060 - Paper and board
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: D10.19 - Sustainability & Recycling

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D5663 − 15 An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
Validating Recycled Content in Packaging Paper and
1
Paperboard
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5663; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.3 This guide does not recommend either an amount or a
kind of recycled fiber or material to use since (1) the amount
1.1 Thisguideprovidesanapproachforboththecalculation
and kind of recycled content in a packaging paper or paper-
and the substantiation of recycled content of finished packag-
board product should be agreed upon between the buyer and
ingpaperandpaperboardproducts.Amassbalanceapproachis
the seller, and (2) the calculation and substantiation procedures
recommended for use by manufacturers since no physical or
recommended may be used for any amount or kind of recycled
chemical test method is currently available to determine
material agreed upon between the buyer and the seller.
absolute recycled content of a finished paper product. Calcu-
lations are based on time weighted average flows which are 1.4 The mass balance calculation method recommended by
based on furnish component flow rates and consistency. Rec- this guide may or may not comply with applicable federal,
ommended approaches to the calculations include by batch or state, or local laws for recycled content statements intended to
bytimeweightedaverageforaspecificgradeorsimilargrades. be received by consumers. Limited guidance on content
Itisnotrecommendedthataveragerecyclecontentbeallocated statements is in Appendix X1.
by mathematical apportionment rather than by actual fiber
1.5 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
content. That is, if 50% recycled fiber is used over time that is
test method portion, Section 10, of this guide: This standard
the time weighted average. One cannot use this same data to
does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any,
report 50% of the production is 100% recycled.
associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this
1.1.1 Percentage calculations are based on lb/ton or kg/
standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices
tonne with the time frame constrained by machine and grade
and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior
(see 10.1.1.1 and 10.1.1.2).
to use.
1.1.2 Pulping and recycling yields are not used in these
calculations. The calculations of recycled fiber content in the
2. Referenced Documents
finished product is solely a function of type of fibers in the
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
furnish flows, the volume of flow and the time period consid-
D685 Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Products
ered.
for Testing
1.2 This guide covers (1) recycled content of packaging
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
paperandpaperboardproductsthatcontainanyamountorkind
ments
of recycled fiber; and (2) methods to calculate and substantiate
the level(s) of recycled fiber content claimed by an agreement 3. Terminology
between the buyer and the seller.
3.1 Definitions—Definitions shall be in accordance with
3
1.2.1 This guide may be used with or without modification
Terminology D996 and the Dictionary of Paper.
to calculate or substantiate the recycled content of packaging
paper and paperboard products when recovered nonfibrous
4. Classification
materials (for example, filler) are a part of the recycled fiber
4.1 The buyer and seller may agree to packaging paper and
furnish. Limited guidance is provided for appropriate modifi-
paperboard product classes and types of their choice, which
cations to this guide for the determination of amount of
may be from among the following classes and types:
recycled nonfibrous materials in paper products.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD10onPackagingand contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.19 on Sustainability & Recycling. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved April 1, 2015. Published May 2015. Originally the ASTM website.
3
published as D5663 – 95. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D5663 – 97 Available from the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, P.O.
(2011). DOI: 10.1520/D5663-15. Box 105113, Atlanta, GA 30348.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D5663 − 97 (Reapproved 2011) D5663 − 15 An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
Validating Recycled Content in Packaging Paper and
1
Paperboard
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5663; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide provides an approach for both the calculation and the substantiation of recycled content of finished packaging
paper and paperboard products. A mass balance approach is recommended for use by manufacturers since no physical or chemical
test method is currently available to determine absolute recycled content of a finished paper product. Calculations are based on time
weighted average flows which are based on furnish component flow rates and consistency. Recommended approaches to the
calculations include by batch or by time weighted average for a specific grade or similar grades. It is not recommended that average
recycle content be allocated by mathematical apportionment rather than by actual fiber content. That is, if 50% recycled fiber is
used over time that is the time weighted average. One cannot use this same data to report 50% of the production is 100% recycled.
1.1.1 Percentage calculations are based on lb/ton or kg/tonne with the time frame constrained by machine and grade (see
10.1.1.1 and 10.1.1.2).
1.1.2 Pulping and recycling yields are not used in these calculations. The calculations of recycled fiber content in the finished
product is solely a function of type of fibers in the furnish flows, the volume of flow and the time period considered.
1.2 This guide covers (1) recycled content of packaging paper and paperboard products that contain any amount or kind of
recycled fiber; and (2) methods to calculate and substantiate the level(s) of recycled fiber content claimed by an agreement between
the buyer and the seller.
1.2.1 This guide may be used with or without modification to calculate or substantiate the recycled content of packaging paper
and paperboard products when recovered nonfibrous materials (for example, filler) are a part of the recycled fiber furnish. Limited
guidance is provided for appropriate modifications to this guide for the determination of amount of recycled nonfibrous materials
in paper products.
1.3 This guide does not recommend either an amount or a kind of recycled fiber or material to use since (1) the amount and
kind of recycled content in a packaging paper or paperboard product should be agreed upon between the buyer and the seller, and
(2) the calculation and substantiation procedures recommended may be used for any amount or kind of recycled material agreed
upon between the buyer and the seller.
1.4 The mass balance calculation method recommended by this guide may or may not comply with applicable federal, state,
or local laws for recycled content statements intended to be received by consumers. Limited guidance on content statements is in
Appendix X1.
1.5 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 10, of this guide:This standard does
not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard
to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1968D685 Terminology Relating toPractice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Products for Testing (Withdrawn 2010)
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.19 on Sustainability & Recycling.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2011April 1, 2015. Published April 2012May 2015. Originally published as D5663 – 95. Last previous edition approved in 20032011
as D5663 – 97 (2003).(2011). DOI: 10.1520/D5663-97R11.10.1520/D5663-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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