You can't put loose shredded paper in your recycling bin because the tiny pieces fall through sorting machinery, contaminate other recyclables (like cans and bottles), and create litter or hazards at the facility; instead, put it in a paper bag or box, compost it, or use it for pet bedding, but always check your local council's specific rules.
Guidance. There are two ways to recycle shredded paper: You can put it in a paper envelope and then put it in with your household recycling. This is so that it doesn't blow around everywhere when picked up or go everywhere in the recycling facility.
In Australia, you generally can't put loose shredded paper in your yellow-lidded recycling bin as it's too small and contaminates the stream; instead, use it in your green FOGO/compost bin, put it in a paper bag or envelope before the yellow bin (check local rules!), use it as pet bedding or garden mulch, or dispose of it in the red landfill bin if other options aren't available.
Shredded paper is compostable as long as it's not colored or glossy. If you are adding a lot of shredded paper to your home compost pile, add some grass to lower the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Shredding a piece of paper shortens its fibers, which limits its recycling potential and reduces its value.
Small amounts of shredded paper can be placed in your blue recycling bag. We recommend containing this in a paper bag or envelope. Large amount of shredded paper can be put in your brown bin or home composter.
Keep reading to discover what you can do with your shredded paper.
Shredded paper can be recycled, but not all local councils will collect it for recycling, as some paper mills can't process it. This is because: Shredding paper weakens it; It could pose problems at paper mills e.g. maintenance and fire hazard issues.
In Australia, you generally can't put loose shredded paper in your yellow-lidded recycling bin as it's too small and contaminates the stream; instead, use it in your green FOGO/compost bin, put it in a paper bag or envelope before the yellow bin (check local rules!), use it as pet bedding or garden mulch, or dispose of it in the red landfill bin if other options aren't available.
You can't easily recycle shredded paper in regular bins because the small pieces fall through sorting machinery, get lost, contaminate other recyclables, or become litter, but it is recyclable if contained in a sealed paper bag or box for specialized collection programs or drop-off, as the fibers are valuable but need specific handling to prevent jamming and loss at facilities.
Paper shredders increase security risks. You shred your documents to prevent identity theft and maintain the confidentiality of your information. But your paper shredding machine doesn't offer the most secure method for completely destroying confidential information.
How to Destroy Paper Documents without a Shredder: 6 Effective Alternatives
For paper to decompose it takes between two and six weeks. This is relatively quick compared to other materials, but it can be two to five months before the paper completely disappears if it's disposed of in landfill.
Don't toss the junk mail in the trash bin; shred it. Given merely your name, address, and a credit offer, someone could take out a line of credit in your name and spend money, leaving you on the hook.
9 Paper Documents You Should Keep Forever in Their Original Form
Many items seem recyclable but aren't, including soft plastics (chip bags, bread bags), soiled paper/cardboard (greasy pizza boxes, paper towels, tissues), small items (bottle caps, straws), ceramics/Pyrex, batteries, Styrofoam, nappies, and some mixed-material containers (coffee cups with plastic lining), as these contaminate loads or jam machinery, requiring special disposal.
Methods of Document Destruction
To avoid contamination, keep your shredded paper contained. How to do this varies from city to city. Some require it to be placed in a transparent plastic bag, while others may require it to be put in a closed cardboard box. Make sure to check with your municipality on how they require shredded paper to be collected.
By carefully incorporating shredded paper into your compost pile, you can recycle this common household waste into valuable, nutrient-rich compost for your garden. It's always best to avoid unnecessary shredding but if you need to, recycle shredded paper in a blue bin or, if it's the right type of paper, compost it.
Most shredded paper is of a high grade and could be recycled but the paper strips are too small and light to be separated during sorting at our material recovery facility – the large plant where recyclables are sorted and sent for re-processing.
Soaking paper documents in water for one or two days and mixing it around is an effective way to make them unreadable. This dissolves the paper into a pulp that you can break up by hand.
Disposing of confidential paperwork in a domestic bin or recycling bin can increase that risk. To guarantee data is safe, for paper and other materials, we recommend using an accredited service provider. With an accredited provider, you'll receive a Certificate of Destruction.
Additional Side Effects of Being Shredded
Mood Swings: Low body fat and calorie intake can lead to irritability and mood changes. Disrupted Sleep: Some people report sleep issues when maintaining very low body fat. Reduced Libido: Low testosterone levels, common in calorie deficits, can affect sex drive.
Negative Environmental Impacts
Dangerous fumes are released and pollute the air when paper is burned. These fumes are toxic for people and animals to inhale. If the burning is done outside, there is still more damage to be done after the fact.
Security Risks: Using an office shredder can pose security and compliance risks. These machines often leave shredded documents readable, exposing your business to potential breaches. Additionally, employees handling sensitive information during disposal could inadvertently compromise data security.