Sequential hydrolysis of waste newspaper and bioethanol production from the hydrolysate.

•Waste newspaper was proven as a promising feedstock for bioethanol production.•Pretreatment is a requisite to unlock the fermentable sugars in the newspaper.•A high quality hydrolysate was developed that ensured its complete fermentability.•Saccharification efficiency (88.7%) obtained is higher than values reported earlier.•The final ethanol concentration of 5.72g/L (96% conversion efficiency) was produced.