Where do we dispose of pizza boxes, paper cups, and napkins? You might think that these common items go into the paper recycling bin. However, the truth is that these items cannot be recycled.
Indeed, the process of recycling paper begins with categorizing it into types and grades. It is then washed and mixed with water to be made into a pulp, which is then pressed into new paper.
If you have ever washed something oily, you obviously understand how difficult it is to remove. The same goes for paper recycling. The oil can’t be removed during the washing process—rather, it mixes with the paper fibers, ruining the whole batch of product. So, the next time you are tempted to drop a greasy napkin into the recycling bin, remember that it can easily contaminate its surroundings and even make the entire bin non-recyclable.
Plastic can be found in the most unlikely items, including paper containers and cups. Have you ever wondered why your paper cup doesn't dissolve in water? It’s because the inside is coated with a thin layer of plastic. Based on the paper recycling process, plastic will not dissolve into pulp and therefore cant be turned into recycled paper.
With this in mind, we must understand that the sheer amount of paper we use is actually not recyclable. Thus, we should significantly reduce our paper product usage and switch to items that are recyclable instead, including white printer paper, newspaper, cardboard, envelopes, and more. However, during the rare occasion in which you must use greasy or plastic coated paper, remember to dispose of them in the general waste bin to prevent the recyclable paper from being contaminated and becoming non-recyclable.
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