Construction Paper Put in Recycling Cart/Bin Recycle clean paper. Staples and tape are OK. Do not recycle paper that has foil or grease/food residue. Sometimes small bits of paper cannot be recycled because they get lost in the recycling process. In general, try to recycle everything receipt-sized or larger. Shredded paper should be sealed in a clear bag and recycled. No Glitter & Glue A piece of construction paper that’s covered with lots of glitter, glue, and/or paint contains too many contaminants to go through the paper recycling process. How Small Is Too Small? Sometimes small bits of paper cannot be recycled because they get lost in the recycling process. In general, try to recycle everything receipt-sized or larger. Shredded paper is too small and should be thrown away. Ways to Reuse Use Shredded Paper as Packing Material Shipping out something fragile? Reuse your shredded paper as packing material to protect items during shipping. Did You Know? Why Shredded Paper Can Be Hard to Recycle Shredding a piece of paper shortens its fibers, which limits its recycling potential and reduces its value. Shredded paper is too small to be processed by some recyclers. It slips through sorting machinery onto the facility floor, where it gets swept up as trash.
