Nearly 8 out of 10 Americans have access to a curbside recycling program that accepts paper products. That makes recycling paper and paper packaging at home much easier!
Recycled paper is used in paper mills to make new products such as paper bags, toilet paper and all different kinds of boxes.
Today, more than 2/3 of all paper recycled in the U.S. is turned into new products Americans rely on at paper mills nationwide.
Paper and Paper Packaging Products that are Recyclable
These paper and paper packaging products are usually accepted in recycling bins across the U.S. Our industry’s paper mills can also recycle these products.
Paper
- Writing paper
- Notebooks
- Stationery
- Newspaper
- Magazines
- Catalogs
- White office paper
- Envelopes
- Address window envelopes
- Cards
- Paper with ink
- Colored paper
Cardboard & Paperboard
- Cardboard boxes
- Pizza boxes
- Cereal, pasta, and dry food boxes
- Frozen food boxes
- Over-the-counter medicine and toothpaste boxes
- Candy boxes
- Tubes from wrapping paper, paper towels and toilet paper
- Bakery boxes
- Shoe boxes
- Tissue boxes
- Skincare, make-up, face cream and hair dye boxes
Bags & Sacks
- Paper grocery bags
- Paper pharmacy bags
- Paper lunch bags
- Paper-padded mailers (without bubble wrap liner)
- Flour & sugar bags
- Paper gift bags with paper handles
Paper Cartons
- Milk and dairy alternatives
- Juice
- Soup, broth and sauce
- Ready-to-drink beverages like coffee, tea, smoothies and shakes
- Wine and spirits
- Cleaning products
Recycling Tip
Always check your local recycling program’s rules before you recycle. Rules vary from place to place across the U.S. because of existing contracts.
Maybe Recycle These Paper Products
U.S. paper mills can recycle these products, but your local area may not or may have specific guidelines. Always check your local guidelines!
Paper Cups
Paper mills want the paper fibers in cups back so they can recycle them. Not all communities accept paper cups yet. But there’s good news!
Some major cities like Atlanta, Denver, Detroit, New York City, Seattle and Washington, D.C. already accept paper cups for recycling.
And, the industry is growing the number of mills that can accept paper cups and recycle them.
Shredded Paper
Paper mills can recycle shredded paper. Often, communities have specific rules for accepting shredded paper. You usually need to put the shredded paper in a paper bag or take it to a specific drop-off place.
Only shred paper containing sensitive information! If the paper doesn’t contain sensitive information, put it in your regular recycling bin without shredding it.
1. Read our Recycling Q&A on Shredded Paper
2. Download our “Think Before You Shred” Infographic
Paper Food-Service Packaging
Paper food-service packaging includes items like the paper clamshell your burger or sandwich came in, the paper “scoop” for your fries, and the foldable box for takeout rice.
The majority of communities don’t accept food-service packaging in their recycling.
Rigid Paper Containers
Rigid paper containers are paper containers that have metal ends. This includes things like cans of nuts, coffee and frozen juices. Like paper food-service packaging, most communities don’t accept them.
Follow your community’s recycling rules here, too.
Wrapping Paper
Most gift wrapping paper can be recycled by paper mills. The rules may vary in your community. Paper mills can recycle paper-based wrapping paper that doesn’t have non-paper accents like foil or glitter. Think plain, non-glossy wrapping papers.
Decorative Tissue Paper
Paper mills can recycle plain decorative tissue paper. If it has non-paper accents like glitter, paper mills can’t recycle those.
Many communities don’t accept decorative tissue paper, but our industry can recycle it. Always follow the rules of your local community. You can also try to reuse decorative tissue paper!
Don’t Recycle These Paper Products
These paper products should not be placed in recycling bins.
- Used tissue products like paper towels, face tissues and napkins
- Cards or paper bags with non-paper accents like glitter, foil and bows
- Photo paper
- Paper products soaked in excess food or grease. If you spilled spaghetti sauce and it soaked the pasta box, don’t recycle the pasta box.
- Papers coated with wax like parchment or wax papers for baking
- Wallpaper
What to Do if Your Community Doesn’t Accept Certain Paper Items
- Always follow your community’s rules to prevent wishcycling.
- Call or email your local government and ask them to consider updating their guidance. Send them a link to this webpage to explain why the item can be added.
- Download our pizza box and paper padded mailer guidance and send that to your local government or hauler.
More Paper Recycling Resources
Interested in learning more about paper recycling? We've got you covered!
Paper Recycling Process
Discover how paper and cardboard are collected, sorted, processed and recycled.
Industry Guidance
Our industry can recycle pizza boxes and paper padded mailers. Download our guidance documents to update your guidelines.
Industry Partnerships
Explore how the Paper Cup Alliance and the Carton Council are working to expand recycling access to paper cups and paper cartons.
Voluntary Standard for Coated or Treated Corrugated
The industry developed a Voluntary Standard to ensure coated or treated cardboard can be repulped and recycled at paper mills. Download the Voluntary Standard.