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  • Home
  • Articles
    • Zero Waste For Beginners
      • Pros And Cons Of Safety Razors (2022)
      • 6 Best Menstrual Cup For Beginners (2022)
      • Best Menstrual Cup For Heavy Flow (List)
      • How Do I Know If My Menstrual Cup Is In Right
      • How To Remove Menstrual Cup Without Mess
      • I Can Feel My Menstrual Cup: Causes & Prevention
      • 22 Surprising Things That Contain Plastic (+Plastic-Free Alternatives)
      • 26 Environmental Documentaries On Netflix (And Beyond)
      • 90 Zero Waste Tips For Beginners (Impactful & Easy Habits)
      • 11 Ways To Reduce The Use Of Plastic (+Infographic)
      • How To Start A Zero Waste Life? Top 16 essentials
      • 5 Rs Of Zero Waste: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot
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      • 21 Best Eco-Friendly Shampoo And Conditioner Bars (Plastic-Free Alternatives)
      • The Most Sustainable Protein Bars: numove (Review)
      • 13 Zero Waste Protein Powder Products
      • 18 Sustainable Snacks With Compostable Packaging
      • 21 Zero Waste Bathroom Swaps & Essentials (And Where To Find Them!)
      • Soyabella vs Almond Cow: Plant-Milk Machines For Nut Milk (Review)
      • Kipli Natural Latex Pillow (Review)
      • 32 Zero Waste Kitchen Products And Essentials
      • 15 Best Zero Waste Deodorant Brands That Work
      • 19 Zero Waste Vitamins & Plastic-Free Supplements (2022)
      • 6 Eco-Friendly Alternatives To Ziploc Bags
      • Toilet Paper Without Plastic Packaging: 19 Plastic-Free Options
      • 17 Best Zero Waste Books In 2022 (2 for FREE)
      • 9 Of The Healthiest Water Bottles In 2022
      • The 8 BEST Compost Bins For An Apartment
      • 10 Low Waste Products to Lower 70% of Your Waste
      • 142 Zero Waste Swaps And Essential Products
      • 46 Zero Waste Online Stores (The Ultimate List)
    • Zero Waste Tips
      • 28 Zero Waste Party Tips (Simple & Affordable)
      • 18 Awesome Apps To Reduce Food Waste, Save Money & The Planet
      • 11 Things I Still Buy In Plastic
      • 7 Easy Ways To Prevent Ocean Plastic Pollution
      • 8 Waste Disposal Problems And 8 Fantastic Solutions
      • 6 Zero Waste Alternatives to Trash Bags
      • 6 Ways To Reduce The Use Of Plastic Bags
      • How To Be Zero Waste When Living With Parents (Or Roommates)?
      • 9 Disadvantages Of Zero Waste (+Solutions)
      • How Can We Encourage People To Produce Less Waste?
      • 6 Easy Ways To Freeze Bread Without Plastic
      • 16 Surprising Benefits Of Going Zero Waste
      • Why Is Palm Oil Bad For The Environment?
    • Zero Waste FAQ’s
      • Are shampoo bars good for your hair?
      • Is Zero Waste REALLY Possible?
      • How Zero Waste Helps The Environment
      • Types Of Biodegradable Plastics
      • What Is Biodegradable Plastic Made Of?
      • Is Silicone Better Than Plastic?
      • Is Silicone Biodegradable Or Recyclable?
      • Can You Compost Pizza Boxes?
      • 4 Dangers Of Reusing Plastic Water Bottles
      • Why Should We Reduce The Use Of Plastic
      • Does Zero Waste Make a Difference?
    • Recycling Tips
      • 24 Things To Do With Plastic Containers (Repurposing Ideas)
      • How To Recycle Paper – The ultimate guide
      • 11 Types Of Paper That Cannot Be Recycled
      • How To Recycle Metal: Step-by-step process
      • Where To Recycle Old Clothes: 20 Textile Recycling Drop Off Locations
      • Can You Recycle Receipts
      • Things That Cannot Be Recycled
    • Zero Waste Guides
      • 7 Zero Waste Shampoo Alternatives
      • 15 Ways To Be More Sustainable In Everyday Life
      • 23 Best Places To Sell Used Clothes For Cash
      • 41 Best Consumable Gifts For Every Budget
      • 58 Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment
      • How To Organize A Clothing Swap (Guide + Tips)
      • How To Store Vegetables & Fruits Without Plastic (2022)
      • Greenwashing 101: All You Need To Know (2021)
      • Zero Waste Shaving With Eco-Friendly Razors
      • How To Save Money By Going Zero Waste ($5,337 A Year)
      • 10 Things That Pollute The Earth + Swaps
      • Apartment Composting: 7 Step-by-step guides
    • Ethical Fashion
      • 39 Best Online Thrift Stores
      • 26 Cheap Sustainable Clothing Brands
      • 15 Zero Waste Clothing Brands: Sustainable Fashion
      • What Are The Disadvantages Of Fast Fashion?
      • 29 Unethical Fast Fashion Clothing Brands To Avoid
    • Why Vegan
      • Are There Ethical Arguments for Eating Meat?
      • How To Become Vegan Slowly: A step-by-step beginner’s guide
      • 8 Environmental Benefits Of Reducing Meat Consumption
      • How Are Pigs Killed: The Brutality Of Animal Agriculture
    • Minimalism
      • Project 333: Rules & Template
      • 68 Things To Get Rid Of (Minimalism)
      • How To Become A Minimalist In 30 Days
      • 55 Things I Stopped Buying To Save Money And Waste
      • How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: 9 Steps
      • 41 Non-Materialistic Gifts For Any Budget
  • DIY
    • 3-Ingredient Homemade Deodorant Without Coconut Oil
    • Non-Greasy Lotion Bar Recipe (Vegan & Without Beeswax)
    • The BEST Non-Greasy Whipped Body Butter Recipe For Dry Skin
    • DIY Coffee Scrub (Without Coconut Oil)
    • 7 DIY Beauty Products You Can Make At Home
    • How To Make Air Freshener with Essential Oils And Baking Soda
    • Remineralizing Tooth Powder Recipe
    • How to Make Aloe Vera Mouthwash
    • How To Make Dry Shampoo At Home: 3 Ways
    • DIY Deodorant For Smelly Armpits (4 Recipes)
    • 3 DIY Zero Waste Toothpaste Recipes
    • 36 Creative Ideas To Use Glass Jars (with pictures)
  • Zero Waste Recipes
    • Healthy Protein Sweets
      • Healthy Vegan Twix Bars (High-Protein Recipe)
      • Chickpea Cookie Dough Protein Bars (No Bake)
      • Vegan Protein Bounty Bars
      • Orange Chocolate Pea Protein Bars (Recipe)
      • Homemade Protein Bars (Low Calorie, Vegan, No Bake)
      • Healthy Vegan Fudge (5 Ingredients, No-Bake, Low Calorie)
      • Healthy Vegan Pumpkin Protein Muffins
      • Vanilla Protein Powder Muffins (Vegan)
      • Hemp Protein Powder Energy Balls (Vegan)
    • Sweet Snacks
      • Chocolate Chip Cookies In A Jar With Printable Tags (Recipe)
      • Ridiculously Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cookies
      • Cashew Pulp Cookies (Vegan, 4 Ingredients)
      • Old Fashioned Fig Bars Recipe (Vegan)
    • No Bake & Raw Sweets
      • No-Bake Double Chocolate Walnuts Bars
      • 4-Ingredient Date And Peanut Butter Energy Balls
      • Caramel Fudge Without Condensed Milk (Vegan)
      • Peanut Flour Energy Balls Recipe
    • Brownies & Cakes
      • Healthy Marbled Banana Bread (Vegan)
      • Flourless Healthy Pumpkin Brownies (Fudgy & Vegan)
      • Sweet Potato Protein Brownies (Vegan, Gf)
      • Healthy White Bean Blueberry Blondies (Vegan)
      • Fudgy Almond Butter Brownies (Vegan)
      • Vegan Pumpkin Protein Brownies
    • Cheesecake, Tart & Pies
      • Easy Chocolate Orange Tart (Vegan & No Bake)
      • Raw Lemon Cheesecake (Vegan, 9 Ingredients)
      • Easy Vegan Birthday Cake Recipe (No Bake)
      • Peanut Butter Pie From Scratch (Vegan, No Bake)
    • Salty Snacks & Food
      • Vegan Potato Stew (Grandma’s Recipe)
      • Avocado Spread Recipe (Raw, Vegan)
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11 Types Of Paper That Cannot Be Recycled

by Merilin Vrachovska
in Articles, Recycling Tips
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What paper cannot be recycled (list) - Almost Zero Waste
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What paper cannot be recycled?

The types of paper that cannot be recycled include –

waxed paper, shredded paper, wrapping gift paper, paper coated with plastic, receipts, sticky paper, and any paper contaminated with food or other liquids like pizza boxes, milk & juice cartons, napkins & tissues, paper towels, and toilet paper.

Keep reading to find more about why these paper types cannot be recycled, better alternatives to each product & a FAQ section.


11 Types Of Paper That Cannot Be Recycled:


1. Napkins and tissues

You cannot recycle any hygiene/sanitary products, such as – used tissues, napkins, wipes, kitchen rolls, or sanitary towels.

These paper products can’t be recycled, as they are usually contaminated with food, grease, or other liquids.

Furthermore, a lot of tissue paper is made from recycled paper already. So, they can’t be recycled again, as the paper’s fibers are too short, resulting in low-quality pulp in the recycling process. If you want to learn more about how exactly the paper is recycled, you can check my article, which covers the 10 steps of recycling paper.

Anyhow, even if the tissue is clean, the chances are that you still can’t recycle it.

While you might think that napkins are eco-friendly since they are made from paper, it is still a single-use product that can’t be upcycled. 

The only thing you can do with these items is to compost them with your food scraps.

Better alternative:

Instead of using single-use napkins, you can switch to reusable cloth ones. 

What paper cannot be recycled (list) - Almost Zero Waste

2. Toilet paper 

Toilet paper cannot be recycled, even if it’s not contaminated, as the paper fibers are too short. However, on the positive side, the cardboard roll can be recycled. 

Worldwide, we use too much toilet paper in a very unsustainable pattern. We cut hundreds of trees yearly for toilet paper, just to flush it down the drain.

Better alternative: 

Luckily, there are ways to reduce our toilet paper consumption by following a few simple tricks. 

  • Use reusable rags and cloth napkins whenever possible.
  • Buy only 100% recycled toilet paper, lowering the demand for creating paper products from virgin material.
  • Find sustainable tree-free toilet paper products. Various brands make toilet paper from bamboo, which is worth exploring. 

Related post: Toilet Paper Without Plastic Packaging: 18 Plastic-Free Options

What paper cannot be recycled (list) - Almost Zero Waste

3. Paper towels

Paper towels should not end up in the recycling container, because similarly to toilet paper and tissues, their fibers are too short.

Additionally, paper towels are often dirty with liquids, food, or grease, contaminating the whole paper batch, which is recyclable.

Instead of tossing used paper towels into the trash, you can compost them along with your food scraps – throw them with eggshells, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peels, etc. Composting, after all, is another form of recycling. 

Better alternative:

Here you can also consider getting some reusable cloths, rags, or sponges. (links to EarthHero)

4. Waxed paper

Waxed paper comes in handy when handling or delivering food, but it is not great for keeping products out of landfills.

Wax paper is not recyclable because it is coated with wax, and it is considered “mixed paper.” 

Better alternative:

Reuse it – If the wax paper isn’t super dirty, you can wipe off the paper with a damp cloth and use it again.

Compost – If you are using waxed paper coated with organic wax such as soybean-based wax and vegetable oil wax, you can compost it – it will need about two to six weeks to decompose.

Wax wrap – A reusable, eco-friendly wrap usually made from cotton, beeswax, or soy wax and oils. 

What paper cannot be recycled (list) - Almost Zero Waste

5. Receipts (Thermal paper)

Some receipts can be recycled, but most of them cannot. This is because they are usually printed on thermal paper, which contains BPA, and resists decomposition.

Furthermore, such receipts are not recyclable or compostable, and they have to go in the trash.

If this paper ends up in paper recycling centers, it will likely end up in products like toilet paper, paper napkins, paper food storage, shopping bags, and other everyday items we consume. 

The bad side is that receipts can contaminate the whole batch of recycled paper with the chemicals they contain.

Better alternatives:

Go digital – Whenever possible, choose a digital receipt over a physical one. 

Less frequent shopping – Try to shop less often, and buy more things at once. In that way, you will reduce the number of receipts you use. 

Contact your local recycling center – The way receipts are handled depends on your local recycling program. Contact them and ask if they can recycle receipts, and if not, what’s the best way to dispose of them. 

Related post: Can You Recycle Receipts? (problems + solutions) 

What paper cannot be recycled (list) - Almost Zero Waste

6. Shredded paper 

Do not place paper shreds in the recycle bin because when the paper is shredded, the fibers become shorter and are less useful in the recycling process.

Collecting shredding paper can also be a massive pain unless you contain it in a bag or a box. 

In most cases, if you put shredded paper in your recycling bin, it will end up in a landfill. 

Better alternative: 

Compost – If you have a compost bin, then you can throw your shredded paper in there.

Reduce the amount of paper with confidential information – Most banks and other financial services offer online statements instead of paper ones.

Contact your local recycling plant – Recycling plants have different rules everywhere (which is pretty annoying, I must admit). In some cities, shredded paper is recyclable as long as it’s contained, so it is best to contact your local facility and ask. 

What paper cannot be recycled (list) - Almost Zero Waste

7. Sticky paper or stickers

You shouldn’t put sticky paper and stickers in the recycling bin. 

These materials are hard to recycle because of the adhesive that is used in them.

The main issue is the effect that the adhesive can have on recycling machines –  it can get caught in the recycling process.

This is why most recycling plants refuse to accept stickers as a recycling product. 

8. Paper coated with plastic

If the paper has a plastic or aluminum coating, it can be recycled, but it is much more expensive and complicated. 

Some plastic coatings can be separated from paper during the recycling process. Still, it is often cheaper and easier to use virgin materials to create new products than recycling paper coated with plastic. 

Paper coated with plastic isn’t suitable for composting, and most times, such products are incinerated for heat or landfilled rather than recycled.  

For example, “paper” coffee cups and plates have a thin plastic layer (polyethylene) to hold liquids without leaking all over the place. That’s why takeaway coffee cups aren’t recyclable nor biodegradable.

Better alternative:

This type of coated paper is mostly used in the food and drink packaging industry. Try to buy things in single-layer packaging materials, like – glass, aluminum, or paper. 

If you are not sure if a paper material has a plastic coating inside, look for a recycling code on the packaging. For example, it is paper if the recycling code is – 20 PAP, 21 PAP, or 22 PAP. 

If it is paper-coated plastic, the code should be – PAPPET (81, 82, or 83), or 84 C/PAP.

You can also use a reusable food container, or coffee mug (or a jar), which will help you to avoid tons of single-use “paper” food packaging.

What paper cannot be recycled (list) - Almost Zero Waste

9. Wrapping gift paper

Some wrapping paper includes textures, sellotape, foil, sticky tape, ribbons, bows, glitter, or other decorations that cannot be recycled. 

If you are not sure if you can recycle it, do the scrunch test. If it stays scrunched up, it’s likely to be paper. 

Before recycling, remove any sticky tape and decorations.

Better alternative: 

Wrapping paper is used for a short period, and then it’s ripped apart. If you still want to wrap a gift, find out how to do it without wrapping paper or tape.

What paper cannot be recycled (list) - Almost Zero Waste

10. Milk or juice cartons

Milk and juice cartons are made primarily of paper. Yet, these cartons also have a thin layer of plastic inside, aluminum, or sometimes both. 

There are two types of cartons – shelf-stable cartons like juice, milk, soy milk, soup, broth, etc., stored at room temperature, and refrigerated cartons like milk, juice, cream, and egg substitutes.

Shelf-stable cartons typically contain ~ 74 percent paper, 22 percent plastic, and 4 percent aluminum.

Refrigerated cartons usually contain 80 percent paper and 20 percent plastic.

Some milk cartons and juice boxes can be recycled, and others cannot because other non-recyclable materials are mixed with the paper. 

Additionally, specific municipal recycling programs do not accept plastic/paper hybrid cartons, so it’s best to check your local recycling or waste disposal service for recycling guidelines. 

Better alternative: 

When recycling milk or juice cartons, you should throw them in the plastic/metal bin and not paper. 

If you have options, try to pick things in glass or aluminum packaging.

What paper cannot be recycled (list) - Almost Zero Waste

11. Pizza boxes

If the pizza box is clean (not stained with food), you can recycle it. First, however, you should remove all the dirty parts. 

Greasy pizza boxes cannot be recycled; they should be composted instead.

That’s because when the paper is recycled, it is mixed with water. So adding any oil to the mix essentially contaminates and ruins the whole batch.

Better alternative: 

Compost the dirty parts, and recycle the clean ones.

Related post: When Can You Recycle Pizza Boxes?

What paper cannot be recycled (list) - Almost Zero Waste

What paper cannot be recycled – FAQ:

Can you recycle paper with ink on it?

Yes – if you used paper to write, draw or print things, you can throw it into your recycling bin. 

Is colored paper recyclable? 

Yes – you can recycle most colored paper.

You can quickly check if you can recycle it – rip a small piece of it. If it is white in the middle, you can recycle it for sure.  

Can I recycle brown paper bags? 

Yes, but only if they are not contaminated with food or coated with a second layer. For example, if you can see a glossy coating, it may be from plastic; therefore, you can’t recycle it. 

Can wet paper be recycled? 

It is best to avoid recycling wet paper. That’s because when wet, the paper breaks down rapidly, and the fibers become shorter; hence it is harder to recycle it.

Additionally, damp paper and cardboard can stick to recycling machinery and clog it up.

What paper cannot be recycled (list) - Almost Zero Waste

Can I recycle paper with paint on it?

No, you can’t recycle paper with regular or water-based paint on it. This is because the paper has been wet, and the fibers are damaged and can’t be recycled. 

Can you recycle shiny/glossy paper?

You can recycle the shiniest paper, such as glossy magazines, flyers, leaflets, and catalogs. 

Glossy paper is accepted in local recycling programs, but make sure the paper does not have a plastic coating. If the glossy paper is easy to tear apart, it should be fine.  

Conclusion 

All in all, recycling is tricky, and most times, what paper cannot be recycled depends pretty much on your local recycling plant.

Different recycling facilities have different capabilities, and some plants may have more specialized equipment and sorting techniques than others.

If you are not sure about something, try to do an online search and make a phone call to your local recycling plant. 

Learn more about the 10 steps of recycling paper to understand even better why some things aren’t suitable for recycling.

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Merilin Vrachovska

Merilin Vrachovska

I'm Meri, and my goal is to share my experiences and knowledge on how anyone can live more sustainably. I share tips, guides, and different ways of becoming *almost* zero waste! You can find other topics, such as how to recycle different materials, how to make your own products, where to find fantastic zero waste goods, etc. For more information, check the About page!

Comments 6

  1. Vicki Pace says:
    1 year ago

    Hi, my name is Vicki and I am having a heck of a time figuring out on-line if paper that has been colored on (with either colored pencils or crayons) can be recycled. Up until a year ago I had a part-time job as an after-school teacher. I am just now getting around to cleaning out and getting rid of some of the things I have around the house related to that job. As I also have a background in art, I also taught many different art classes. Some of the paper I am cleaning out is student artwork, thus, a lot of it has pen, pencil, colored pencil and some crayon markings. Please help!

    I want to recycle as much as possible, but I also want to make sure I do it responsibly. I feel that recycling education is sorely lacking for the average, non-office working person.

    Reply
    • L says:
      7 months ago

      Hi, I want to know too!! 🙂

      Reply
    • Merilin Vrachovska says:
      2 months ago

      Hey! Great question. After researching a bit, I found that:
      – if you have papers that have been colored on with pens, colored pencils, or ink, most recycling facilities will accept it.
      – It is recommended to NOT recycle paper with crayon drawings, since the wax layer that crayons add can’t be removed completely during recycling.

      However, it MOSTLY depends on the area you live in. I advise you to do a quick online search and try to find out more about the rules on recycling where you live. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Meri2 says:
    4 months ago

    I also would like to know the answer to this question, please!

    Reply
  3. Mike Novak says:
    3 months ago

    I have literally hundreds of advertising posters that are made of paper but have a plastic lining front and back. It is impossible to separate the two and though I suspect they are landfill but thought it worth asking the question. Can I recycle them?

    Reply
    • Merilin Vrachovska says:
      1 month ago

      Unfortunately, they will most likely end up in a landfill. However, you should definitely try to give a call to your local recycling plant and ask if they have the equipment needed to separate plastic & paper, or if they have any recommendations on how to reuse them/dispose of them in the best way possible.

      Reply

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