A binman known as The No1 Binman on TikTok has urged households to stop putting shredded paper in their paper recycling bins, saying it is not recyclable in most cases.
Ashley, who shares tips as The No1 Binman, said shredded paper is not recyclable because it has been broken down too much. He explained that it takes too much effort and costs too much money to recycle it in normal recycling bins, so it should not be placed there.
Why shredded paper is hard to recycle
Shredded paper can be recycled in rare cases, but not all local councils collect it for recycling because some paper mills cannot process it. Shredding weakens the paper and can cause problems at paper mills, including maintenance and fire hazard issues.
Ashley also noted that shredded paper makes binmen's work harder when it is in recycling bins. He said that when the bins are tipped in cold, windy, and wet conditions, the paper goes everywhere and sticks to the floor, requiring extra cleanup.
What to do with shredded paper instead
Instead, Ashley recommends households throw shredded paper away in their general waste bins, as most of the time it cannot be recycled anyway. If a local council does accept shredded paper, he suggests putting it in a Primark bag or a paper bag so it does not scatter.
If a council does not collect shredded paper for recycling, households can throw it in the rubbish bin, take it to a paper bank, or place non-glossy shredded paper at the bottom of a food waste recycling bin to absorb liquid and prevent dripping.
Households can also add shredded paper to home compost, but not if it is coloured or glossy, as these can contain chemicals harmful to plants.
