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Paper

Includes: Ad Inserts and Supplements, Advertising Inserts and Supplements, Blue Print Paper, Carbon Paper, Coupons, Envelopes, Gift Wrap, Junk Mail, Kraft Paper Bags, Mail, Mixed Paper, Newspaper, Office Paper, Paper Bags, Paper Grocery Bags, Paper Recycling, Paper Shopping Bags, School Papers, Shredded Paper, Wrapping Paper

Rethink & Reduce Tips

• See tips on reducing junk mail.
• Purchase paper that contains at least 30 percent or more post-consumer recycled material.
• Use electronic communications to reduce printing.
• 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, like reusing cloth, gift bags, colorful boxes, or wrap gifts in newspaper.

Reuse Tips

• Keep and reuse larger envelopes. 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 for printing, as scratch pads, for children's activities, or creating a banner or yard sale sign.
• Reuse wrapping paper and boxes. Cut up used wrapping paper for gift tags, shelf paper and children’s art projects.
• 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. Wash them clean if you are going to be donating them for reuse.

More Get Rid Of It Tips

• For curbside collection, contact your waste hauler or your  city recycling coordinator for specific requirements.

Additional Resources

• Hennepin County Recycling
• RethinkRecycling.com - Your go-to guide for waste and recycling in the Twin Cities
• City Recycling Coordinators
• Dex Phone Book Recycling
• Yellow Pages Opt Out

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

• Bloomington Drop-off Facility
• Brooklyn Park Drop-off Facility

Item Accepted As: Recycling

No Fee

Recyclable paper is accepted for recycling at both facilities. Paper is also accepted in curbside recycling programs.

Below is a list of paper accepted and not accepted at Hennepin County drop-off facilities. Contact your hauler or city recycling coordinator for information about paper recycling in your curbside program.

Accepted

Remove any non-paper items such as plastic wrap or bags, CDs, samples, tissue paper, packaging included with the paper items.

• Mail, office and school papers
• Magazines and catalogs
• Newspapers, ad supplements and inserts
• Envelopes, including windown envelopes
• Paperback books
• Phone books 
• Shredded paper in closed paper bags 
• Cardboard boxes
• Paper bags
• Cereal boxes, cracker boxes, pasta boxes, cake mix boxes
• Shoe boxes, toy boxes, gift boxes, electronics boxes
• Boxes from toothpaste, medications and other toiletries; tubes from paper towel and toilet paper rolls

Not Accepted

The following papers are not accepted for recycling at Hennepin County drop-off facilities. You can place these items in your household trash.

• 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, wrapping paper
• Hard cover books
• Carbon paper, Blue Print Paper
• Padded envelopes (these have a  plastic liner)

Which boxes are accepted?

If a box is kept in the cupboard, it is recyclable. If it goes in the fridge, freezer, or microwave, it is not.

The wax coating that makes refrigerator, freezer and microwavable boxes water-resistant is a problem in the recycling process. The glossy coating that is used on toothpaste, cereal, pasta and some cardboard boxes does not affect the recycling process.

Related items

Also see: Boxes (Cardboard and Boxboard), Phone Books, Catalogs and Magazines, Books, Recycling