What Paper Items can you Recycle?
Have you ever wondered which paper products you use are actually recyclable?
Some products may surprise you!
Some products may surprise you!
* = Special reasoning or case
Recyclable |
Not Recyclable |
Newspaper |
Shredded Paper* *When shredded, paper fibers have been shortened too much to be recycled. |
Envelopes* *Envelopes are only recyclable if the plastic window is removed. |
Receipts* *Many receipts are coated with BPA which makes them not recyclable. |
Glossy Magazines |
Used Parchment Paper* *When clean, parchment paper is actually compostable! |
Printer Paper* *Printer paper is recyclable as long as there is around 1/2 a sheet or a full sheet. |
Freezer Paper |
Tissue Boxes |
Paper Cups |
Cereal/ Granola Bar/ Snack Boxes |
Wrapping Paper* *Wrapping paper is not recyclable due to its glossy finish. |
Books* *The insides of books are recyclable as long as you do not have a hardcover jacket on them. |
Photos* *Many printed photos contain chemicals to make them. This makes it so they cannot be processed in a recyclable way. |
Many paper products are mistakenly recycled. In addition, many paper products are not able to be recycled as they can get contaminated from other items that may be in your recycling bin. Make sure that if you throw glass or plastic in your recycling bin, rinse it out so it does not contaminate other paper products.
What do the numbers on the bottom of recyclable products mean?
When you pick up your water bottle to recycle it, have you ever wondered what the number in the symbol truly means?
It actually represents the type of plastic that object is made out of. Each type of material holds its own specific benefits. Some may be better to hold liquids, whereas others may be better for things like bending.
Have you ever realized that some of these objects may not actually be recyclable despite having a recycling symbol on them?
Many places accept recycling symbol 1-2, but afterwards it depends on where you live. In a lot of cases, products with the 6 and 7 inside of the recycling symbols are not recyclable due to being made out of so many types of plastic. The recycling plants become unable to process the types of plastic that make up many products that are made out of many types of plastic.
Check with local recycling regulations to learn what products you can actually recycle and which should be thrown in the garbage.
It actually represents the type of plastic that object is made out of. Each type of material holds its own specific benefits. Some may be better to hold liquids, whereas others may be better for things like bending.
Have you ever realized that some of these objects may not actually be recyclable despite having a recycling symbol on them?
Many places accept recycling symbol 1-2, but afterwards it depends on where you live. In a lot of cases, products with the 6 and 7 inside of the recycling symbols are not recyclable due to being made out of so many types of plastic. The recycling plants become unable to process the types of plastic that make up many products that are made out of many types of plastic.
Check with local recycling regulations to learn what products you can actually recycle and which should be thrown in the garbage.
Image Source: Waste Management
Each Plastic Recycling Symbol Explained
- PETE, or Polyethylene Terephthalate is the most common type of recyclable plastic. Commonly found in water bottles and soda bottles, its is most commonly recycled for fibers and polar fleece.
- HDPE, or High-Density Polyethylene is another common type of recyclable plastic. It is commonly found in opaque milk jugs and cosmetic products. It can be recycled into more bottles and other piping, making it one of the safest forms of plastic.
- PVC, or Polyvinyl Chloride is a type of plastic used in cosmetic bottles, toys, and sometimes window trims. It becomes unsafe to use on products that are used for human consumption as PVC contains phthalates. PVC commonly gets recycled into piping, house siding and types of flooring.
- LDPE, or Low-Density Polyethylene is a type of plastic commonly found in bags, paper towels and squeezable bottles. This plastic can be recycled into more bags, furniture an other items. Unfortunately, due to the types of plastic these are made out of, LDPE is not commonly accepted to be a recycled product in your recycling bin.
- PP, or Polypropylene is a type of plastic commonly found in yogurt containers, straws, and hangers due to how durable it is. This is commonly recyclable, but check with local regulations for your requirements. PP is recycled into other products like paint cans, brushes and auto parts.
- PS, or Polystyrene is a type of plastic commonly found in containers you get for food, more specifically, Styrofoam containers. It is also commonly found in CD cases. This type of plastic is not accepted in most places and is normally required to just go into the garbage.
- Other types of plastic used to make products also include BPA. Many products like 5 gallon water jugs, bottles, CDs, and more are made out of these mixtures of plastic. Depending on where you live, these plastic mixtures may be recyclable.
Works Cited:
“What Do Those Recycling Symbols Mean?” Hebron Goes Green, Hebron Green Committee, n.d., https://www.hebrongoesgreen.com/recycling-symbols. Accessed 9 January 2022.
“What Do Those Recycling Symbols Mean?” Hebron Goes Green, Hebron Green Committee, n.d., https://www.hebrongoesgreen.com/recycling-symbols. Accessed 9 January 2022.