Non-Recyclable Item of the Month: Shredded Paper

We’ve been accepting it for years, but unfortunately the days of recycling shredded office paper appear to be over.

Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) around the Country are now refusing to take it, including ours. San Juan County’s MRF facility, the Cascade Recycling Center, operated by the Waste Management Corporation, no longer accepts shredded paper.

The stuff is truly difficult to recycle. Shredded paper has less fiber value, it flies around everywhere, and often includes non-recyclables like credit cards and stickers–which can damage recycling equipment and increase costs.

Reuse is always the best option. Here are a few reuse ideas:

• Packing material
• Animal bedding or cat litter boxes
• Compost
• Mulch
• Fire starter (just add old candles)
• Craft projects

ORS is always on the lookout for unique solutions for recycling and reuse. If you have an idea for re-using shredded paper, let us know!