Recycling paper towels might seem like common sense, but they are not the same as recycling paper. This guide will explain to you exactly why you shouldn't put paper towels in your recycling, some great alternatives to paper towels, and what to do with the paper towels you do need to use.

Are Paper Towels Bad for the Environment?

In short, yes, the manufacturing of paper towels is a big problem for the environment. The production of paper products, including paper towels, is the third largest source of industrial pollution in North America, and the industry is the fifth largest energy consumer worldwide.

The Word Green Organization in Hong Kong estimates that 17 trees must be cut down and 20,000 gallons of water are polluted in the production of just one ton of paper towels. To put that in perspective, the EPA estimates that approximately 3,790 thousand tons of soft paper product waste, such as tissue paper and paper towels, was generated in the US alone in 2018. That figure has been steadily increasing year after year. Unfortunately, the majority of that ends up in landfill.

But aren't paper towels biodegradable?

Yes, of course. They break down since they are made from natural wood pulp, but that process is not ideal when paper towel waste is sealed in plastic bags that don't biodegrade in a landfill. The right conditions to break down paper towels and biodegrade them back into the soil would not be accessible inside a garbage bag.

Do Not Put Paper Towels in Your Recycling Bin

The biggest reason paper towels are not accepted in recycling is that if they've served their purpose of cleaning something up, that means they are soiled. Whatever they've been used to clean has made them dirty and a potential contaminant to any other clean recyclable materials. Always avoid recycling used paper towels in your general recycling bin.

Additionally, paper towels are not recycled because they are made from fibers that are too small to be useful during the recycling process. There are also resins and adhesives used in the production of paper towels that are not ideal for recycling. For these reasons, even clean paper towels should not go in your normal recycling.

Use Washable Towels as an Alternative

Using regular dish towels and rags is an easy alternative to disposable paper towels. The fact that fabric towels can be washed again and again makes them the most suitable alternative.

There are also many eco-friendly alternatives on the market such as Swedish dishcloths. One of these cloths replaces approximately 17 paper towel rolls. They are also biodegradable and of course one costs much less than 17 rolls of paper towels!

Just like the Swedish dishcloths, there are a ton of paper towel alternatives on the market that tout their effectiveness and earth-friendly attributes. If you can reuse it many times instead of disposing after one use, they are a good alternative to single-use paper towels.

If Needed, Buy Recycled Paper Towels

Some occasions may call for paper towels. Since you can't recycle paper towels, try buying paper towels that are made from recycled materials. There are several companies with recycled paper towels on the market now. It will say on the packaging if they use recycled material.

Although these are still getting used as single-use items, at least the production of these paper towels uses less energy and less water because they are not extracting virgin materials, but rather recycling materials. Buying anything that uses recycled materials gives an overall lower carbon emission rate than if the materials need to be harvested.

The Only Right Way for Recycling Paper Towels

If your municipality has an organics program, it most likely accepts used paper towels that do not have grease, oil, or cleaning solutions on them. Although you should not put used paper towels in your regular recycling bin, recycling paper towels in your organics bin is a great alternative. Since the fibers are broken down so small and originate as all natural wood fibers, they can be safely disposed of in organics.

Can Paper Towels be Composted?

Yes! If you don't have an organics program in your area, your own compost will also work. Again, the same rule applies that you should not add any used paper towels that have grease, oils, fats, or chemicals on them to your compost. These materials will not break down properly with your all-natural compost. Otherwise, paper towels are fine to add. Of course, it's even better if you're buying paper towels made from recycled materials, as mentioned above.

If You Don't Compost, You Can Still Compost

Composting is a wonderful method for recycling paper towels with your organic waste and keeping it out of landfills, but realistically, not everyone will start their own compost. In that case, if you have paper towels that you'd like to keep out of the garbage, but don't have a compost, try ripping them up into little bits and scattering them in with your gardening. If you mix them into the dirt, they will decompose naturally.

Don't Forget to Recycle the Roll

The cardboard tube inside of your paper towels is a completely different material and 100% recyclable. Make sure you add that to your normal recycling bin.

Recycling paper towels can lead to recycling contamination. So, if you have any questions about how your local program handles paper towels, please check on the Recycle Coach mobile app by searching the 'What Goes Where' search tool. Can you think of any other ways to use soiled paper towels and avoid waste? Let us know below.

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.

There is a safe way to dispose of aerosol cans for metal recycling through recycling or household hazardous waste programs where available.

Have you ever wondered what to do with spray cans after they're done? It can be confusing how to dispose of spray paint cans, spray deodorant, shaving cream cans, and disinfectant spray cans. There are specific procedures to make sure they can be disposed of or recycled safely. It also depends on who does the recycling. Is it your local recycling program or your household hazardous waste program, and does either of them have the capability to handle these types of products?

Aerosol cans are made with either aluminum or steel, which makes them suitable as a recyclable material. The fact that they contain pressurized air, and sometimes harmful materials makes the preparation for aerosol can recycling critical. Here are some of the common mistakes to avoid.

1. Leaving the Cap On

Most aerosol cans come with a plastic cap while the can itself is metal. Obviously metal and plastic don't get recycled in the same way, so it is important to remove the plastic cap from the metal can. Most (but not all) of these plastic caps are made from polypropylene which is a #5 plastic. Check to see if your local program accepts #5 plastics before placing the cap in your recycling bin.

If you are using a spray can that includes a small plastic straw for targeted spray, please discard the straw into the trash.

2. Not Making Sure the Can is Empty 

If there is any substance still left in an aerosol can, it must be discarded through your household hazardous waste program, no matter what. Aerosol cans that still have substances left inside are still pressurized, meaning they could explode or combust if punctured or crushed, making a dangerous situation for a trash compactor or recycling sorter.

Keep waste and recycling workers safe and make sure aerosol cans are completely empty if your local waste or recycling program accepts them. To ensure you've completely emptied a can, hold it close to a rag and spray until nothing else comes out. This is a great way to double check that it is empty.

3. Trying to Depressurize the Can Yourself

Even if the can is empty, never try to puncture, crush, or flatten the can yourself. This could be very dangerous if pressure is still in the can. There are also government regulations in place for the safe depressurization of cans due to the risk of harmful chemicals or air pollutants. There are many ways in which a recycling facility or household hazardous waste program can safely depressurize the can and recycle it properly. They never would require residents to depressurize a can themselves.

4. Attempting to Remove the Nozzle

Even though the nozzle is plastic and may have some other materials, such as rubber, attached to the spray mechanism, you should not remove it. If you were thinking it should be separated to go with plastic recycling, that wouldn't work anyway because the piece is too small to make it through a recycling sorter anyway.

If you try to remove the nozzle yourself, you are unnecessarily putting yourself at risk of the can exploding. Removing the nozzle may depressurize the can and cause it to burst. Once again, household hazard waste programs are able to depressurize aerosol cans safely for proper recycling.

5. Assuming Which Bin It Goes In

This is the most confusing part, and the part you need to know. Every location is different, so it is important you look up exactly where your municipality accepts aerosol cans. There is one clear rule though in any location, if there is still any substance left in the can, you must dispose of it through your household hazardous waste program.

When the aerosol can is empty, it could be accepted in your recycling program, your household hazardous waste program, or your municipality may ask you to dispose of it in the trash. Don't assume it will go one place or the other. You have to look it up. A great way to look it up is with the What Goes Where search tool on the Recycle Coach app on your mobile phone. Otherwise, you should contact your local household hazardous waste program to find out where you should bring your aerosol cans for safe recycling or disposal.

There are so many products that use lithium-ion on batteries on the market today: vape pens, phones, laptops, power tools, and much more. Are there any battery recycling programs? Are batteries hazardous waste? Is it ok to throw batteries in the garbage? As a consumer, it is important to know how to dispose of lithium-ion batteries properly.

Lithium-Ion Batteries: Disposal Hazard

There has been a 26% increase in fires at waste facilities across the U.S. and Canada in recent years. It is estimated that 40% of waste and recycling facilities in the U.S. have been affected by fires in a given year.

These fires can often devastate the system of recycling goods even close down an entire recycling plant for good. It is often thought that hazardous waste such as lithium-ion batteries can be the cause. So how do we dispose of lithium-ion batteries safely?

Are Lithium-Ion Batteries Actually Hazardous Waste?

Absolutely! Lithium-Ion Batteries are definitely hazardous waste. After a battery is no longer usable because it seems that it will no longer hold a charge, it's time to get rid of it.

But when we might believe a battery is dead because it stops working, there is actually still plenty of hazardous material left behind.

For example a lithium-ion battery can still hold 80% of it's thermal capacity after it is done. So things like phone batteries and even small vape pen batteries, are potentially ready to combust.

Not only do batteries carry an immediate risk of fire if disposed improperly, they also hold many long term risks because they carry many toxic substances that when crushed will leak into the ground and contaminate our water.

What Happens if You Throw Away Lithium-ion Batteries?

Every battery carries the potential of fire or combustion. Once items are put on the truck, no matter what it is, it is most likely about to be compacted.

Imagine a few batteries being smashed and leaking fluid. How harmful could a tiny bit of battery acid be, you say? Well, when the insulation layer of a lithium-ion battery is damaged, it can cause the temperature to increase drastically to around 500C (932F) which brings a high risk of fire or explosion. Imagine that combination mixing next to items that could have oil or some other fire igniter.

Throwing lithium-ion batteries in the garbage or recycling bins can be like a candle next to a curtain. So it is important to know how we can dispose of lithium-ion batteries.

What Can We Do About the Hazards of Lithium-Ion Battery Disposal?

Some cities have taken to spreading the word about this hazard. Many electronics stores offer battery return programs, so it is worth the trouble to ask when you purchase anything with a lithium-ion battery.

It's good to know there is hope in recycling batteries! But don't just drop them in your home recycling bin! There are many drop off programs to recycle your batteries depending on your location.

It's also nice to hear battery drop off bins can be used as a school or community fundraiser in some areas!

There are so many types of batteries that it is difficult to know how to properly dispose of lithium-ion batteries. One thing is for sure, be cautious and always double check!

Find a Drop-Off Center for Your Lithium-Ion Batteries

Batteries are considered household hazardous waste and should be disposed of properly at a hazardous waste facility drop off if you do not have any store return programs or community battery recycling programs near you.

Call2Recycle is a battery recycling program with drop-off centers across North America. All you have to do is gather up your batteries and cell phones, bag them or tape the terminals, then drop them off. Find a location in the US or Canada.

Check the What Goes Where search engine or download the Recycle Coach app to see exactly what to do in your area with every type of battery.

E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams on the planet. Already, we produce something like 50 million tonnes of it each year. And that number's only set to increase as electronics become more accessible worldwide.

So, what is e-waste?

E-waste, or electronic waste, encompasses electrical and electronic equipment that's outdated, unwanted, or broken. That means everything from smartphones to end-of-life refrigerators. Basically, anything that runs on electricity that you've decided to get rid of. Globally, we only recycle 10% of our e-waste, a number that's as shocking as it is depressing. As for the 90% we don't recycle, it ends up getting landfilled, incinerated, or illegally traded.

What makes e-waste so bad?

E-waste contains a laundry list of chemicals that are harmful to people and the environment, like: mercury, lead, beryllium, brominated flame retardants, and cadmium, i.e. stuff that sounds as bad as it is. When electronics are mishandled during disposal, these chemicals end up in our soil, water, and air.

To make matters worse, electronic waste is sometimes illegally exported to countries that don't have laws on handling and disposing of it. Once there, it's dumped. Sometimes, valuable materials are recovered, but often in unsafe working conditions.

What can we do?

Thankfully, lots. By being more mindful about where your e-waste ends up, you can limit how much you produce and the impact it has on the environment.

Reduce: The easiest way to solve the e-waste crisis is to produce less e-waste. I know, easier said than done. Companies are constantly rolling out new products like Apple, for instance, with its iPhone. Newer products look and function better than their predecessors, but novelty comes at a price. Instead of buying that flashy new gadget, stick to what you've got. Also, by taking care of your electronics you can ensure that they last longer. When you don't have to replace them as often, you end up saving money.

Reuse: Instead of tossing out that old television set or gaming console, consider regifting, selling, or donating it. You could also hold on to it. Who knows, it might end up being worth something someday.  Look at the Original Apple 1. It's sold at auction for upwards of $905,000.

Repair: People often throw out and replace broken electronics instead of getting them repaired. True, repairs can be expensive, but for those who aren't afraid of a DIY project, it's a cheap fix. Online resources like iFixit, a website that boasts free repair guides for everything, provide reliable information that'll help you get your tech back in working order. Always remember to be safe, though.

Recycle: As a last resort, you can always recycle your e-waste just make sure you're doing it correctly! Many communities have e-waste recycling events and drop-off depots that handle these materials. If your city is currently a member of our network, download the Recycle Coach app to find out how. Organizations like TerraCycle accept e-waste in the U.S. and Canada. So do some manufactures and retailers, like Apple and Best Buy.

If you're looking for water games for kids or adults to wrap up the summer, we have a great list for you. As families prepare for back-to-school season, here are ideas for low-contact, low waste water games to wrap up the sunny days.Water balloons are a classic water game for families, adults and youth, but balloons are not the best for the environment. When balloons touch down on the ground, they create litter  litter that also pollutes waterways and land, where it enters the ecosystem of wildlife animals, disrupting natural diets, habitats, and more.

Not sure the proper way to dispose of balloons? They likely belong in the garbage, but it's best to check if your municipality is part of the Recycle Coach network and download the app; there, you'll find our Ask Milo 'What Goes Where?' search tool. Alternatively, you can visit your municipality's recycling rules and requirements.If you have a field day or party that could use water games, what are the alternatives to water balloon fights? Below are suitable fun games to play with water, minus the balloons.

Alternatives to water balloon fights to beat the heat

Water games for field day, parties, or just your backyard on a hot, summer day is refreshing. While fun water balloon games for adults and kids are common, here are a few ideas to cool down without the potentially problematic balloon.

Water gun fight

We would never condone violence, but a water gun fight is a fun, classic alternative to water balloon fights. It's just as active; you're required to run and chase each other around. You can reuse water guns summer after summer. Because most of them do as little as squirt water at other players, you're less likely to use as much water.And in our post-Covid19 lockdown world, it's perfect in ensuring distance between players.

Cup-to-Cup Water Race Game

This game requires two buckets, a queue of players, a reusable cup, some water. Players line up in a single queue with one bucket filled with water in front of the first player, and the empty second bucket behind the last player.

 
• The first player fetches the water from the bucket.
 
• The cup is passed to the player behind over their head without turning their body.
 
• The team passes the cup overhead from one person to the one behind them, until the last person can pour it all into the empty bucket behind them.

The first team to finish the water from the first bucket wins! For added difficulty-such as if adults are playing this water game-players can wear blindfolds.This cup-to-cup water game replaces the water balloon passing game while eliminating the use of balloons, increasing the chances for more soaked players, and keeps minimal contact between players. Once again, unlike the water balloon game, this water game uses fewer disposable materials.

Wet Sponge or Fabric Ball Throwing Game

A wet sponge throwing game creates just as much cooled down, soaked up fun for the family without using disposable, harmful balloons. You can even create sponge balls for absorbent, soft projectiles to replace water balloons.However, something to remember about most daily sponges is that they are usually made with oil-made plastic particles. These sponges, while reusable, are likely made of a material that still harms the environment in its production and when it breaks down.An eco-friendlier option can be double the fun: an arts and crafts upcycling project, making some old fabrics into a rag/sponge that can hold water and be tossed around.If a DIY project isn't up your alley, you can also simply bundle old shirts into balls and ribbons, dip them in water, and toss them around the same way you would with a water balloon.

Visit the beach or waterfront

Following Covid 19 restrictions and social distancing guidelines, visit your nearby beach, river, pond, or lake and take a dip! Splash around without the need for any tools or toys  just the joy of kicking over waves and swatting water at each other.

Being mindful of water conservation while enjoying water games

While these ideas serve alternatives to water balloon fights and water games for your field day and parties, it's important to remember that water is a finite resource and should not be wasted.While it's easy to take water for granted when it flows so freely through your kitchen faucet, many regions around the globe are experiencing shortages. For other activities you can consider outside of this popular water game, check out our post on how to enjoy the summer in an eco-friendly way while staying responsible.

You toss on some rouge, a little mascara and cap it off with a swipe of lipstick. You think: Dayum, I look fine!

And you know what? You do. But here's the thing: even though cosmetics look good on people, they look awful on our planet. And that's not good for anyone.

Before I fill you in on how to safely dispose of old and unwanted cosmetics, let's look at why these products are such an issue. You might not realize it, but makeup is filled with chemicals that don't mix well with people (or the environment). Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), which include cosmetics, get in our water table and stay there. And they're messing with human physiology.

So yeah, if you were rinsing or dumping your beauty products down the drain, stop. It'll come back to haunt you. It'll come back to haunt all of us.

Without further ado, here's everything you need to know about safely disposing of those problematic beauty products.

Greener is leaner

Yes, buying eco-friendly products is generally better for the environment. The same is true for makeup. Thankfully, there are plenty of options out there. The greener the product, the easier it should be to dispose of since sustainability will be factored into the packaging. Something to keep in mind next time you're shopping.

Recycling options

Let's start with the easy ones first.

If you bring your empties to Aveda, Everyday Minerals, Kiehl's, Lush, MAC, Origins, or Zoya, they'll recycle them. In some instances, restrictions apply. For example, Zoya only offers recycling once a year on Earth Day, while Lush takes back branded packaging. TerraCycle has also partnered with companies like L'Oreal, L'Occitane, and Garnier to offer recycling programs, so there's plenty out there.

Some companies have also moved towards refillable packaging to reduce the bulk of wasted packaging. In the US, TerraCycle is also working with Ulta in their waste-free packaging program Loop.If you still have a lot of product left in the container, you could also consider donating it to a friend.Some women's shelters will also gladly take your unwanted makeup. Plus, you'll be doing someone a solid.

Okay, now for the tough stuff. Most cosmetic packaging is made from glass and polypropylene, or plastic #5 for all you resin identification number nerds, making them recyclable in most communities. Just make sure those bottles are empty AND cleaned out before tossing them in your bin. And if you've got half-empty bottles of makeup, remember: don't rinse or dump them. Wipe them the clean instead.

To check and see if this applies in your community, download our app (assuming, of course, that your city is part of our network).

Worst case scenario

If you're unable to take part in one of the recycling programs above, then you should toss it in the garbage. Just make sure the product is sealed if there's anything left inside.

I'm willing to bet you recycle your receipts. And why wouldn't you? After all, they're made from paper, which is recyclable, right?

In this case: wrong.

Well, mostly.

Turns out there are two types of receipts floating around out there. The paper ones, which are recyclable and compostable, if your city has an organics program, and the thermal ones, which aren't. But because it's hard to tell the difference between the two, we recommend keeping them all out of the recycling bin.

That's because  93% of thermal receipts contain Bisphenol A (BPA), an industrial chemical that's used to produce specific kinds of plastic. And, yes, this nasty chemical is as bad as it sounds. In case you don't believe us, BPA can mess with human health in high enough doses. In fact, in many countries, on top of being declared toxic, it has been outright banned.

Every year, we make about 8 billion pounds of the stuff. So, yeah. Not great.

Okay, so what should I do?

Before tossing all those receipts into the trash, see if your community has a special take-back program. If they're on the Recycle Coach network, download our app for free and we'll fill you in on everything you need to know and then some. If not, check your public works site or give them a call. If thermal receipts aren't accepted, feel free to trash'em.

Keep in mind, much of what you throw in the garbage ends up getting landfilled (or incinerated). In other words, all that BPA coating your thermal receipts ends up outside where it can leach into our soil, water, and air. If this worries you, there are other options.

You can always opt to receive an e-receipt at the point of purchase. Or, you can refuse a receipt altogether and manually track all your purchases using a budget app.