Recycling Q&A

Can you recycle shredded paper? Yes, but shredding it makes the paper less likely to be recycled if small bits of paper aren't properly contained. Only shred things with sensitive information to protect your privacy. 

What happens when you recycle a milk carton? Cartons are transported to paper mills and recycling plants where they become new products like boxes, toilet paper and even ceiling tiles.

The paper recycling rate has met or exceeded 63% every year since 2009. Paper recycling is a model that works because of the industry’s investment and the millions of people who recycle every day. Read what we’re doing to continue to improve paper recycling.

One of the questions we commonly receive is how do I recycle a paper padded mailer. The answer depends on what type of mailer you received. We help explain what to do for the three most common mailers.

Paper products like cardboard boxes, pizza boxes, mail and paper bags are widely accepted in recycling programs throughout the U.S. So what do you do if you don’t have access to a curbside recycling program?  

During the holidays, our homes are filled with cards from family and friends, cardboard boxes from shopping online to find the right gift and wrapping materials to make sure it’s a surprise. Many of these items are recycled at paper mills across the country but some are not. 

Many of us have a pile somewhere in our homes where we stack our mail. Bills, advertisements, magazines and catalogs, a card and maybe an exciting online purchase that came in a box or padded envelope. With some of these items, you may be wondering if it is okay to toss them in your recycling bin.

Is this cardboard box recyclable? YES, cardboard is built to be recycled. In fact, cardboard packaging can be recycled 5 to 7 times! Here’s how to do it right.