Abstract: A method for recovering fiber useful for papermaking from an effluent stream includes a primary process for treating an effluent stream to separate usable fiber from contrary matter, and secondary operations, supplementing the primary process, to treat the contrary matter rejected by the primary process to recover usable fibers contained in the reject matter. In addition, the secondary processing steps separate the reject material into organic and inorganic fractions, which may be usable in other processes. The method of the invention does not require the addition of water as do conventional processes, simplifies handling, disposal, and reduces the costs of disposal.