A refuse collector has confirmed that shredded paper is not recyclable in the vast majority of cases, urging households to stop placing it in their recycling bins.
Ashley, known on TikTok as The No1 Binman, has told households to "stop putting shredded paper in your paper bin". He explained that the material breaks down too much during shredding, making it too costly and difficult for standard recycling facilities to process.
"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 said on social media.
Why Shredded Paper Causes Problems
Ashley also highlighted the practical difficulties shredded paper creates for refuse collectors. "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.
Not every local council collects shredded paper for recycling, as some paper mills are unable to process it. Shredding weakens the paper, which can lead to maintenance complications and fire hazard concerns at mills.
How to Dispose of Shredded Paper
Instead of recycling, the binman advises households to dispose of shredded paper in their general waste bins. However, if a local council does accept it, Ashley recommends placing it in a bag to prevent it from spreading.
"Put it [the shredded paper] in a Primark bag or something like a paper bag so it doesn't go everywhere," he said.
For those whose councils do not collect shredded paper, alternatives include dropping it off at a paper bank or placing non-glossy shredded paper at the base of a food waste recycling bin to absorb liquid and prevent dripping. Households may also add it to a home compost heap, though this does not apply to coloured or glossy paper, as these can harbour chemicals damaging to plants.
