Can I Put Shredded Paper in the Recycle Bin?

With more and more people working from home, we are now faced with sustainability issues that we had never thought of.

For one, you now have to figure out what to do with all that paper you keep shredding. Can you recycle it? Should you just throw it out?

That’s what we’re here to find out.

Can I put shredded paper in the recycle bin?

No, you cannot put shredded paper in the recycle bin. There are several reasons for this.

For one, the shredded paper never stays put and can easily be swept away by a gust of wind.

Moreover, it easily slips through the recycling center’s machines and ends up in the most unwanted places. However, there are a few ways that it can be recycled.

How can you recycle shredded paper?

If you intend to recycle shredded paper, there is one thing you should keep in mind – ensure it is contained.

While some cities only accept it when it is stored in clear plastic bags, others prefer it in cardboard boxes or paper bags. All you have to do is find out the specific requirements your city’s recycling programs have and you should be good to go.

Alternatively, you could attend a shredding event and drop off all your shredded paper there. Cities have these all the time and can take all your paper as long as it’s bagged.

Can I compost shredded paper?

Firstly, avoid composting glossy or heavily inked paper – this introduces new variables.

Secondly, since the shredded paper will be out in the open, ensure that it doesn’t contain information that you don’t want someone stumbling upon.

How can I reuse shredded paper?

Apart from recycling and composting, there are a variety of other things you can do with shredded paper.

You can use it as packaging. All you have to do is fill your cardboard box with the shredded paper before placing your item inside and shipping the package off.

Alternatively, you could use your shredded paper to stuff costumes and other items.

And if you have pets, there is one more thing you could do with the paper pieces – use them as pet bedding. This provides a comfy place for your pet to rest at the end of the day.

Finally, you can use it to start a fire or as mulch for your garden. Whichever way you go though, always go for something that suits your specific needs.

Consider hiring a pickup service

If figuring out what to do with all your shredded paper is becoming a headache, you should think of getting a pick-up service. These will come over to your place, take the paper you want to shred, do the shredding for you, and get rid of the paper pieces.

Ultimately, these service providers provide high levels of security and are great for getting rid of highly confidential documents.