Recycling shredded paper (merged)

Ben84

A lot of paper recycling facilities don't accept shredded paper, so it's worth checking before trying to recycle it.

I compost my shredded paper.

mrtg0525

My local council won't collect shredded paper as part of their bi-weekly recycling collection, but if I take it to the council tip, I can put it into the cardboard & paper container there.

SailorSam

I add it bit by bit to the compost bin.
I've heard places like stables or pet stores maybe will take it from you to use as bedding.

stilernin

Large quantities of grass cuttings don't compost easily so I have always mixed them 50/50 with shredded paper. It worked really well. Also I have spread shredded paper around my strawberry plants, (instead of using straw), it kept the soil shaded and the strawberries clean, but it did look a bit odd. So 'white' I'm sure the patch could have been seen from space!!

Why not get in touch with your local allotment society to see if they are interested in using shredded paper to bulk out their compost? You could also try Freecycle, there might just be someone who would want to take some off your hands.

mcduff16

My local council collects shredded paper. I normally stuff it into a cereal box so its not all over the place and put in my recycling box.

lilibeth

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

I use paper that's been printed on one side only again - lists, scrap paper pads, scribbling paper for the children.

East Yorkshire then let you put shredded paper into the recycle bins, and I also use it for bedding for the hens, then into the compost

I do that too,
I'm still interested in paper making at home but suspect it may be more environmentally damaging than helpful. I might wander over to the OS board see if there is any info there.

emmilou

I also use mine for my chickens nest box and never have enough so I'm sure if you ask about someone would be happy to take it off your hands or maybe an ad in local pet shop etc.

Our local animal rescue takes it for animal bedding

Rockee

You can put shredded paper in your compost as long as it is not gloss coated paper (i.e 'shiney').

Or if you are an ebay/amazon seller (or know one) then it is ideal for packing items.

lesley1960

We shred tonnes of the stuff then its used for animal bedding. why would shredded paper be non recylable when unshredded paper is?

A_fiend_for_life

lesley1960 wrote: »

We shred tonnes of the stuff then its used for animal bedding. why would shredded paper be non recylable when unshredded paper is?

Shredding paper shortens the fibres making it unsuitable for paper production or at best producing lower quality recycled paper.

Some local authorities will not collect shredded paper. This is because although, technically, shredded paper can be recycled, some paper mills cannot take it. There are two main reasons for this;

• the average fibre length paper has decreases with shredding, and thus paper made from it will be weaker, and
• shredded paper can be difficult to handle at the mill and depending on the equipment there, it can cause maintenance problems and fire hazards.

http://www.recyclenow.com/what_can_i_do_today/can_it_be_recycled/paper_products/shredded_paper.html

I'd have thought that shredded paper could be used for toilet paper as short fibres allow it to break up in water and avoids clogging the waste water system.