Properly Recycling Shredded Paper: Tips and Best Practices

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Shredded paper is recyclable, but it's not as simple as just tossing it in the bin.

Due to its size, most municipalities have very specific processes in place to collect shredded paper in an efficient and effective manner. Let's take a look at some common ways to properly recycle your shredded paper.

Why is the Process Different?

Shredded paper is very lightweight, which can cause even the lightest breeze to blow it out of your bin or the truck as the recycling load makes its way to a recycling facility, leading to litter. On top of that, once at the facility, the same situation can occur where little strips of paper can make their way into bales of other recycled content even with the slightest breeze or air blown by fans.

The size of the paper strips is also too small for machinery to sort, again posing the threat of contamination to other materials. These papers often become clingy and attach to other items along the way too.

Keep it Contained

To avoid contamination, keep your shredded paper contained.

How to do this varies from city to city. Some require it to be placed in a transparent plastic bag, while others may require it to be put in a closed cardboard box.

Make sure to check with your municipality on how they require shredded paper to be collected. This type of item may also require drop-off instead of curbside collection due to its specialized sorting.

Shredding Events

At these events, all residents are welcome to bring their sensitive papers to be shredded on the spot so they can be recycled with other paper products. These events also tend to accept pre-shredded paper as long as you bring it contained in the same way as stated above.

Compost it

In some cities with organic waste collection or composting programs, shredded paper may be accepted with food scraps. Please check your program's requirements before adding this item to your organic waste.

If you keep a home compost, you can add shredded paper to your compost bin as a portion of your brown carbon-rich materials. Shredded paper is perfect for a home compost because it is already broken into small pieces that can decompose quickly in the right conditions.

Reuse it

If you have items to ship or are moving, using your shredded paper makes for a safe way to secure your items. It's a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to Styrofoam peanuts and plastic bubble wrap.

Other ways to reuse shredded paper include lining the cages of small pets that require paper or wood bedding, or you can use it for crafts like papier máché.

Proper Disposal

To properly dispose of shredded paper, it is essential to verify the specific requirements of your municipality or recycling facility. Adhering to local guidelines will help prevent unnecessary waste and ensure that your shredded paper is processed in an environmentally responsible manner. By staying informed and following best practices, you contribute to a more efficient and effective recycling system.