A bin collector known as The No1 Binman has urged households to stop putting shredded paper in their recycling bins, saying the material is too difficult and expensive to recycle.
Shredded paper may seem like an obvious candidate for recycling, but many local councils refuse to accept it because not all paper mills can process it.
Why shredded paper is not recyclable
Ashley, the viral TikTok sensation behind The No1 Binman, said: "It's [shredded paper] not recyclable because you broke it down too much. It's too much effort and costs too much money to recycle it in your normal [recycling] bins. So don't put it in there."
He also explained that shredded paper makes the job harder for binmen. "When we tip it when it's cold, windy, and wet, it goes everywhere, and then we have to try and get it off the floor, sweeping it up - it all sticks to the floor. It's horrible," he said.
What to do with shredded paper
Ashley advises households to dispose of shredded paper in their general waste bins, as the vast majority of the time it cannot be recycled. However, if a local council does accept it, he recommends putting it in a paper bag or a similar container so it does not scatter.
Shredding weakens the paper fibres, which can cause maintenance problems and fire hazards at paper mills. If a council will not collect shredded paper for recycling, it can be placed in general waste, dropped off at a paper bank, or put at the bottom of a food waste bin to absorb liquid. Non-glossy shredded paper can also be added to a home compost heap, though coloured or glossy paper should be avoided as it may contain chemicals harmful to plants.
