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Paper

(Paper (Shredded), Envelopes (Paper), Shopping Bags (Paper), Mixed Paper, School Papers, Office Paper, Blue Print Paper, Carbon Paper, Gift Wrap, Wrapping Paper, Shredded Paper, Paper Bags, Grocery Bags (Paper), Bags (Paper), Mail, Junk Mail)

Rethink & Reduce Tips

• On average, every person receives 34 pounds of unsolicited promotions, sales pitches, and pleas each year. See our junk mail reduction tips on how to reduce the amount of junk mail you receive.
• Purchase paper that contains at least 30% or more post-consumer recycled material.
• Use e-mail, voice mail, or telephones to transmit information.
• Whether at home, at school, or at the office, print or copy on both sides of the paper.
• Be creative! Many kinds of wrapping paper cannot be recycled, so think of alternatives, such as reusing cloth of paper bags, reusing decorative boxes, wrap gifts in newspaper (perhaps with the comics section), or decorate grocery bags.

Reuse Tips

• Keep larger envelopes to reuse when you need to send something out. Simply remove or crossout old labels and stamps and cover with your new addressing information.
• Sheets of paper with printing on one side or Blue Print paper can be reused to print on the other side, or reused as scratch pads, used for children's activities, or creating a banner or yard sale sign.
• Reuse wrapping paper and boxes. Cut up used wrapping paper and old greeting cards for gift tags, window decorations, shelf paper and children’s art projects.
• Handled paper bags work great on a second shopping trip to the mall, grocery or hardware store! Food shelves and donation organizations often are in need of paper bags for their clients/customers. Call first.
• See if a school or church needs milk or egg cartons for craft projects. Rinse them clean if you are going to be donating them.

More Get Rid Of It Tips

• For curbside collection, contact your waste hauler or your city recycling coordinator for specific requirements.
• Envelopes with bubble wrap padding are not recyclable.  Place in your trash.
• Looking to do a paper drive? Check the Yellow Pages under Recycling Services

Additional Resources

• Choose To Reuse Directory
• America Recycles Day
• It's In the Bag - Plastic Bag Recycling
• Reduce.org
• Twin Cities Free Market

Accepted At These Hennepin County Facilities. Proof of residency required (MN drivers license or current utility bill).

• Read below for more information

Item Accepted As: Recycling Trash

See fee information below.

PAPER RECYCLING GUIDE: Can I Recycle It?

 

YES  -  RECYCLE

Accepted at the Brooklyn Park Drop Off Facility and Bloomington Drop Off Facility as a recyclable. Also a curbside recyclable item in most cities; call your waste hauler or city recycling coordinator.

• Mail*, office and school papers
• Magazines and catalogs
• Newspapers and inserts 
• Phone books 
• Shredded paper in closed paper bags 
• Cardboard boxes
• Paper bags
• Cereal boxes, cracker boxes, pasta boxes, cake mix boxes  
• Shoe boxes, gift boxes & electronics boxes 
• Boxes from toothpaste, medications and other toiletries     
• Comic books (with no mold or mildew) 

*Referred to as direct, junk, mixed mail, and advertising mail. Includes: envelopes, paper padded envelopes, bills, letters, cards, postcards, catalogs and glossy advertising mail.

NO - DON'T RECYCLE

Place in household trash. Also accepted as solid waste for a fee at the Brooklyn Park Drop Off Facility.

• Pizza boxes, egg cartons or boxes soiled with food
• Boxes from refrigerated or frozen foods
• Milk cartons and juice boxes
• Paper towels, napkins, cups and plates
• Gift wrap
• Carbon paper, Blue Print Paper

Food Box Guideline: Boxes from items meant to go in your cupboard (cereal, etc.) are generally recyclable.  Packages for refrigerated and microwaveable products such as frozen entrees are usually coated in ways that make them unacceptable for recycling. 

You can recycle all of these types of paper:

Also see Boxes, Phone Books, Catalogs and Magazines, Newspaper and Ad Supplements and Books.