Whether at home or work, Americans rely on paper every day — indeed, in 2012, paper accounted for about 27% of all municipal solid waste. Thankfully, most of this can be processed at recycling centers, minimizing its impact on the planet. The guide below will acquaint you with the rules of paper recycling and explain how following them helps the earth. 

Why Recycling Matters 

The process helps preserve natural resources, minimizes energy use, and curbs associated emissions. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a single ton of reused office paper is equal to 322 gallons of gasoline saved. Since recycling reduces the number of trees that must be cut down to make new paper, it helps with carbon sequestration. It also limits the need for other methods of disposal, like landfills or incineration. 

What Paper Items Can Be Recycled 

The average household contains many paper items that can be repurposed. Paperbacks are candidates, though hardbound books often aren’t. Chipboard — a thin fibrous material used in cereal boxes and juice cartons — is processed at recycling centers to become newspaper and office paper supplies. Thicker or corrugated cardboard can be turned into chipboard, writing paper, or yet more cardboard. 

In the workplace, file folders, padded mailer envelopes, note pads, self-adhesive sticky notes, newspapers, and even glossy magazine or brochure papers are all recyclable. Mailer tubes are also used to make new corrugated boxes, while copier paper is processed into fresh reams. 

What Paper Items Shouldn’t Be Recycled

Certain products contain coatings that make them resistant to recycling. These include many brands of paper plates, cups, and napkins, even if they’re unused. While the inner roll can be repurposed, paper towels themselves cannot. Carbon and wax paper should also be discarded in regular trash bins. If paper gets soiled by food debris, grease, or oil, it will not be usable.

Freedom From Waste in Farmington, MO, is the region’s premier recycling center when it comes to paper products. The facility uses state-of-the-art equipment to refurbish used items into materials to manufacture new items. The locally owned firm is 100% committed to preserving the environment. To learn more about this residential and commercial recycling center, call (573) 747-0550 or visit the website.