Don’t They Shred and Mulch it in the Process Anyway?

I often hear people wonder why shredded paper cannot be recycled. It’s still paper right? That is correct, but the question is not about whether or not shredded paper is recyclable, the question is about the factory process used by your local council.

To their credit, local councils in Australia are processing enormous amounts of recyclable waste through kerbside bin collections. This requires a robust system of conveying, sorting and stockpiling waste products into their unique types for each different process. It is here at the sorting plant that shredded paper comes unstuck.

The question is not about shredded paper’s suitability for recycling – because it certainly is readily recyclable on its on. The question is one of processing.

It is Impossible to Pick the Paper Out of a Mixed Pile

The recycling plant processes an enormous volume of material each day. It is not just the neatly stacked bin we put on to the street. It is a mix of every recyclable and non-recyclable material imaginable. On the conveyors there is then a system of fans, magnets and manual sorting to separate as much as possible each distinct material. Paper is separate using fans that blow lightweight materials into bins. The shredded paper is not able to be forced by streams of air with accuracy, and so does not make it in to the bins.

Incorrect Material is Counter-productive

Ultimately, the presence of shredded paper in the recycling plant causes other potentially recyclable materials to be discarded. Not everything can be processed fully. If the waste is mixed with other items, buried under non-recyclables, then the sorting operators cannot completely get to everything before it passes out of reach. Such is the speed and volume needed to be sorted.

This is why there is advertising appealing to people to not put plastic bags into the recycling bins. Because it is not a casual time here a staff member can sort through a bag, or empty a cardboard carton of beer bottles. These items, and anything under them, end up in the landfill anyway.

Alternative Uses for Shredded Paper

Compost!

We love to put our shredded paper in the compost bin. It helps to increase the dry content and so minimise the fruit fly that love to gather when there is so much fruit waste.

So why can’t shredded paper be recycled?

This is the question isn’t it? Why can’t shredded paper be recycled? Well, it can. In a perfectly controlled environment it can be processed into new paper products. But our current system cannot cope with that. Nor should it be the council’s responsiblity. Until there is a public willingness to further sort all the recyclable waste, then shredded paper should not be put into the recycling bins. It is important to shred paper. It is important to also find a use for it to minimise additional waste.