We’ve been taught since childhood to “reduce, reuse, recycle” — a mantra that reminds us of our responsibility to the planet. But just like that old slogan, recycling isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. Around 56% of paper/cardboard waste in the US is landfilled annually, even despite your best efforts to recycle.
If you’re mindful of both security and the environment, shredding your private documents before recycling might seem like the perfect solution. It’s easy to assume you’re keeping your information safe while reducing waste.
However, can shredded paper go straight into the recycling bin? Surprisingly, the answer is no. Despite your best efforts, shredded paper placed in household recycling bins doesn’t usually get recycled. Here’s why, and what you can do about it.
Why Can’t You Recycle Shredded Paper?
Shreds that have been recycled at home or the office can end up in the landfill. Why? Because the size and the quantity of the shreds are too small. It becomes difficult to separate paper shreds from other waste throughout the recycling process, so recyclers often throw these shreds away.
Once waste is picked up, everything placed in recycle bins is sifted through and separated into plastics, papers, metals, and items that can’t be recycled — including paper shreds. Materials roll along large belts, and paper shreds can easily fall off into piles of non-recyclable items. If you don’t properly bag them, workers looking for non-recyclables won’t see shredded paper and will sort it as trash.
Not all recycling facilities accept paper shreds, and most recycling centers won’t accept small strips or bits of paper. Large-scale recycling facilities that do take shredded paper use massive screens to dry pulped paper. Some of the smaller paper bits don’t always stick well and can fall through the screens. This poses a risk for those who want to keep their private information secure while reducing their impact on the environment, but there’s a solution for that.
How to Recycle Shredded Paper
While recycling centers don’t typically take just a few sheets worth of shredded paper from individuals, large-scale shredding operations produce large bales of shredded paper that recycling facilities can then manage. If you use a professional shredding service to handle your shredding, the resulting shreds will be recycled.
- Drop-off shredding: In case you didn’t know, shredding services aren’t just for large-scale shredding projects. If you only have a few sheets to shred, you can safely drop them off at a secure location near you. Rates differ by location, but you’ll pay by the pound for shredding services.
- Ship ‘N’ Shred: This is another great service if you have 1-3 boxes of paper. All you have to do is schedule a pickup with FedEx and ship your documents to one of our providers to shred and recycle at their secure facility.
- Offsite shredding: If you have large amounts of paper to shred regularly, offsite shredding may be a good option for you. You can have as much paper as you want picked up. Then, it will be shredded at an offsite facility.
- Onsite shredding: If you need to witness the shredding process for compliance reasons, you can schedule a mobile truck to come to your location. It will then shred your documents while you watch, and the shreds will be taken to a secure recycling facility.
Recycle Your Paper Shreds With Shred Nations
Let’s make each step of the paper recycling journey count towards creating a more sustainable future. Shred Nations’ partners are here to help you reduce, reuse, and recycle your paper properly. We’ll help you find the solution that best meets your needs and keeps paper out of our landfills.
Give us a call at (800) 747-3365, fill out the form, or contact us directly using our live chat for free quotes on environmentally friendly shredding services near you.
