How to Recycle Coated Paper

Once garbage, most coated paper can now be recycled.

Being green isn't easy. As technology changes, recycling advances allow more materials to be recycled, and keeping track of what's currently allowed can be difficult. If you've come across a stack of old coated paper products while cleaning your house, think green by reusing them or recycling them.

Instructions

1. Sort your coated paper products into categories based on the item. Conservatree's list of common coated paper products by grade (see link in the Reference section)--such as brochures and stiff glossy paper, magazine paper, coffee table books and coated board paper--is a good starting place.

2. Contact your town's Department of Public Works. Let them know the types of coated paper products you have and ask for the appropriate recycling procedure. Some communities allow commingled recycling, meaning that anything recyclable can be thrown together. Others require you to separate common paper from glossy paper. Your town may not recycle all the types of paper you have.

3. Recycle your coated paper following your town's guidelines. You may have to drive to a recycling center and manually dispose of the paper into the proper area, or you may be able to place the coated paper in a bin or bag for curbside collection.

4. Save coated paper that can't be recycled. If you have a child or a crafter in your life, let her re-use the coated paper for collages and other art projects. If you don't know anyone who'll use it, call youth or arts-focused nonprofits and ask about donating that paper.

References

• Earth911: Magazine s & Paper Recycling
• Conservatree: Coated Paper Overview