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Paper Recycling: What Can and Can’t Go In

Paper is one of the most common recyclables, but not everything made of paper belongs in your recycling bin. Here’s a simple guide to what can and can’t go in, so you can keep recycling streams clean and effective.

✅ What Can Go in the Paper Recycling Bin

  • Office paper (white, coloured, plain or printed)

  • Newspapers, magazines, and brochures

  • Envelopes (plastic windows removed)

  • Junk mail and flyers

  • Notebooks (metal spirals removed if possible)

❌ What Can’t Go in the Paper Recycling Bin

  • Tissues, napkins, and paper towels (contaminated with food or liquids)

  • Baking paper, waxed or greaseproof paper

  • Laminated or plastic-coated paper

  • Foil-backed wrapping paper or gift wrap with glitter

  • Food-soiled or greasy paper (e.g. takeaway wrappers)

Household Tips

  • Keep paper dry—wet paper can’t be recycled.

  • Remove staples, clips, and plastic sleeves when possible.

  • Place shredded paper only if your local council accepts it (often in a paper bag or cardboard box).

  • Don’t bag paper in plastic; always place it loose in the bin.

Business Paper Recycling

  • Provide clearly labelled paper-only bins in offices and print rooms.

  • For confidential documents, use secure destruction bins that still feed into recycling.

  • High paper volumes can be compacted or baled for cost-efficient collections.

  • Pair paper bins with cardboard bins to separate different fibre streams.

Quick Reference

Accepted Not Accepted
Office paper Tissues, napkins
Newspapers & magazines Waxed/baking paper
Envelopes (windows removed) Laminated or plastic-coated paper
Flyers & brochures Foil or glitter gift wrap

Best Practices Summary

  1. Recycle only clean, dry paper.

  2. Remove contamination like plastic windows or staples when possible.

  3. Never include tissues, baking paper, or food-soiled paper.

  4. Businesses should use secure destruction for confidential documents.

Conclusion: Smarter Paper Recycling

Paper recycling is easy when you know the rules. By keeping paper clean, dry, and free from contamination, you’ll help create a high-quality recycling stream that saves resources and reduces costs.

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