How to Separate Paper for Recycling
If you do not already recycle paper, it is time to start. Recycling paper serves several important purposes, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. These include reducing greenhouse gas emissions that can affect climate change, reducing energy and water consumption and saving landfill space. The Healthcare Environmental Resource Center (HERC) reports that paper waste dominates the entire economy but that, fortunately, paper is easy to and especially suited for recycling. "Paper waste retains the most valuable if it is sorted by type," HERC reports. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Research your city or state's specific paper recycling processes. Different states may have different requirements. The United States Environmental Protection Agency offers a web page that enables you to learn information about where you live (see Resources).
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Recycle the following types of paper: office paper, magazines, newspapers, telephone directories and corrugated (shipping) boxes. You must separate them.
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Place high-grade paper such as copy paper, letterhead, notebook paper, envelopes and file folders into one pile. You typically find this type of paper at the office. "If high-grade paper is kept separate from other grades, it can be used in the production of more high-grade paper, and is thus of higher value," explains HERC.
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Keep low-grade paper such as off-white newspaper in a separate pile. If you mix high- and low-grade paper, keep in mind that they can only be used for low-end products.
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Sort any papers contaminated with food, too much glue or medical waste, or which is dyed a dark or deep color. These materials can be used as compost.
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Break down large boxes so that they become flat. You may have to tie several boxes together.
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