Multi-stage process for bleaching of a recycle pulp, comprising the steps of: a) contacting a cellulosic admixture of recycle containing fiber at high consistency and atmospheric pressure with i. a magnesium hydroxide generating species chosen from the group consisting of MgO and Mg 2 in an amount of from 0 up to 2% based on the OD weight of the pulp; ii. hydrogen peroxide in an amount of from 0 up to 5% based on the OD weight of the pulp; and iii. optionally, oxygen under gauge pressure of at least 2 bar (2 atm); b) heating and mixing the admixture of step (a) with steam to a temperature of at least 60°C (140°F); c) contacting a cellulosic admixture from step (b) with i. a magnesium hydroxide generating species chosen from the group consisting of MgO and Mg 2 in an amount of from 0 up to 2% based on the OD weight of the pulp; and ii. hydrogen peroxide in an amount of from 0 up to 5% based on the OD weight of the pulp; and iii. optionally, oxygen under gauge pressure of at least 2 bar (2 atm); the total amount of magnesium hydroxide added in steps (a) and (c) being from at least 0.3 to 4% and the total amount of hydrogen peroxide added in steps (a) and (c) being from 1 to 10%, d) retaining said cellulosic admixture in contact with said Mg 2, oxygen and said hydrogen peroxide for a period sufficient to increase the GE brightness thereof by at least about 5 points while retaining Mg 2 and H 2 O 2 in said cellulosic admixture at levels of at least 0.1% and 0.5% respectively; e) thereafter contacting the mixture from step (d) with a peroxide activating agent chosen from the group consisting of tetraacetylethylenediamine and acetic anhydride, and thereby generating a peracid in situ; f) thereafter, washing the pulp, treating the brightened pulp with a reductive bleaching composition. a) contacting a cellulosic admixture of recycle containing fiber at high consistency and atmospheric pressure with i. a magnesium hydroxide generating species chosen from the group consisting of MgO and Mg 2 in an amount of from 0 up to 2% based on the OD weight of the pulp; ii. hydrogen peroxide in an amount of from 0 up to 5% based on the OD weight of the pulp; and iii. optionally, oxygen under gauge pressure of at least 2 bar (2 atm); i. a magnesium hydroxide generating species chosen from the group consisting of MgO and Mg 2 in an amount of from 0 up to 2% based on the OD weight of the pulp; ii. hydrogen peroxide in an amount of from 0 up to 5% based on the OD weight of the pulp; and iii. optionally, oxygen under gauge pressure of at least 2 bar (2 atm); b) heating and mixing the admixture of step (a) with steam to a temperature of at least 60°C (140°F); c) contacting a cellulosic admixture from step (b) with i. a magnesium hydroxide generating species chosen from the group consisting of MgO and Mg 2 in an amount of from 0 up to 2% based on the OD weight of the pulp; and ii. hydrogen peroxide in an amount of from 0 up to 5% based on the OD weight of the pulp; and iii. optionally, oxygen under gauge pressure of at least 2 bar (2 atm); the total amount of magnesium hydroxide added in steps (a) and (c) being from at least 0.3 to 4% and the total amount of hydrogen peroxide added in steps (a) and (c) being from 1 to 10%, i. a magnesium hydroxide generating species chosen from the group consisting of MgO and Mg 2 in an amount of from 0 up to 2% based on the OD weight of the pulp; and ii. hydrogen peroxide in an amount of from 0 up to 5% based on the OD weight of the pulp; and iii. optionally, oxygen under gauge pressure of at least 2 bar (2 atm); the total amount of magnesium hydroxide added in steps (a) and (c) being from at least 0.3 to 4% and the total amount of hydrogen peroxide added in steps (a) and (c) being from 1 to 10%, d) retaining said cellulosic admixture in contact with said Mg 2, oxygen and said hydrogen peroxide for a period sufficient to increase the GE brightness thereof by at least about 5 points while retaining Mg 2 and H 2 O 2 in said cellulosic admixture at levels of at least 0.1% and 0.5% respectively; e) thereafter contacting the mixture from step (d) with a peroxide activating agent chosen from the group consisting of tetraacetylethylenediamine and acetic anhydride, and thereby generating a peracid in situ; f) thereafter, washing the pulp, treating the brightened pulp with a reductive bleaching composition.