fig1 the wet strength resin coated paper broke is first reduced in size by processing in a size reduction paper shredder the shredder reduces the paper broke to a size which is preferably 2 to 4 inches square but any size of paper reduction can be performed which is consistent with the downstream processing equipment for the recovery of the paper fiber from the broke the shredded paper is then transported to a reactor where oxygen and alkali such as sodium hydroxide are intermixed with the paper material with agitation at elevated temperatures other alkaline materials may be utilized in the reaction vessel including sodium borate sodium carbonate sodium bicarbonate and other alkali metal hydroxides the temperature of the reactor may be maintained in the range of 70 u00b0 to 170 u00b0 c preferably the temperature will be maintained at a range of 90 u00b0 to 150 u00b0 c still more preferably the range should be 110 u00b0 to 140 u00b0 the alkali is added as an aqueous solution to the reaction vessel an alkaline charge of from 3 to 17 as a weight fraction of bone dry fiber can be utilized however the preferred range of alkaline charge is from 4 to 15 the reaction time will vary depending on the wet strength resin and the alkali charge but the reaction time can be operable from between 1 minute of contact time to 120 minutes of contact time preferably the reaction time should be in the range of 5 to 30 minutes the partial pressure of oxygen which is supplied to the reaction vessel should preferably be within a range of 10 to 90 psi but more preferably the oxygen partial pressure will be.