WELCOME TO TODAY'S CLASS 

/ TODAY'S AGENDA

H O W

BPSU

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T H E

W A Y !
R I G H T
P A P E R
T O
R E C Y C L E

SOCIAL SCIENCE CLASS / LAMFORD SCHOOL

 There is a lot of mystery these days around recycling

SOCIAL SCIENCE CLASS / LAMFORD SCHOOL

TODAY'S TOPIC / BRIEF INTRODUCTION

paper. Most seem to understand the basics like what to

do with bulk paper, carboard, or newspaper. I do get a
number of more complicated questions like, can you
recycle magazines, or is tissue paper recyclable?
Each municipality accepts different items making it
even more difficult to figure out what is and what isn’t
recyclable. Let’s dig in and discover what kinds of paper
are recyclable and how to stop filling our landfills with
paper products

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CLASS OBJECTIVES AND RULES / EXPECTATIONS AND OUTCOMES

The most important thing about recycling

paper is that there is NO contamination

SOCIAL SCIENCE CLASS / LAMFORD SCHOOL

in the recycling bin. In a mixed-bin
recycling container, contamination
Paper recycling between the various items can result in
I think a lot of people want to recycle paper
materials that are no longer able to be
properly, they’re just a little confused on
recycled. Keep your containers clean and
where to start. So, here’s my comprehensive
follow other best practices to ensure the
guide on recycling paper products of all
kinds. Of course, always check with your recycled paper is able to be processed.
own waste management facility, and
remember the zero waste lifestyle is about
recycling less NOT more.

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cardboard boxes:
With the onslaught of online shopping we
have more cardboard boxes than every
UNDERSTANDING THE TOPIC DEEPER 
before. It is more important than ever to
learn eco friendly ways to recycle
cardboard. You do NOT have to remove
the tape and the labels (unless it’s excessive
paper is crumpled, torn in half, or folded it is
like tape all around the box), but you
should break the boxes down.
Before recycling these boxes you should try
to find a local business that will accept
used shipping boxes for their own shipping
needs, or put them up on social media sites
to see if others in your community may use
them.
brown paper:
Brown paper is recyclable, but once again,
before recycling see if someone else will take
it and reuse it.
You can save it for place mats, for labeling a
cheese board for a party, or even wrapping
presents!
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printer paper:
Is printer paper recyclable is a very common
question. The answer is absolutely yes! Paper
SOCIAL SCIENCE CLASS / LAMFORD SCHOOL
that comes out of your printer, bills, note
book paper, or any other common sheet paper
is recyclable. Something I found really
interesting is that crumpled pamper is less
likely to be recycled, but have no fear. If the
still recyclable! Always print on both sides
Use previously printed paper for packing
material when shipping
Create a “scrap pile” that allows you to do
quick grabs when you need something to write
on
Make crafts or fun projects
Use it for wrapping paper on gifts
 SOCIAL SCIENCE CLASS / LAMFORD SCHOOL
receipts: photos:
UNDERSTANDING THE TOPIC DEEPER 

shredded paper:
Receipts are coated with Bisphenol A (BPA) Are photos recyclable? Unfortunately not.
While crumpled and slightly altered paper is
and are not recyclable or compostable. The chemicals used to make photos simply
recyclable, shredded paper is not. So the
Consider asking for electronic receipts when cannot be processed in a recyclable way.
answer to a common question of is shredded
necessary or using receipts in other projects Consider instead using unwanted photos in
paper recyclable is, unfortunately, no. The
and creative ways. other creative ways like art projects or shred
paper fibers have been shortened too much

them for packing paper.
and the small shreds can jam machinery and

contaminate bales of other materials.

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 OTHER
PAPER THAT
GLOSSY MAGAZINES
CAN BE PARCHMENT PAPER
RECYCLED BUTCHER PAPER
WAX PAPER
PAPER CUPS

SOCIAL SCIENCE CLASS / LAMFORD SCHOOL

MILK CARTONS
PIZZA BOXES
PAPER NAPKINS AND TOWEL
LET'S DISCUSS

NEWSPAPER:
PASTA, CEREAL BOXES:
ENVELOPES
TISSUE PAPER

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what kinds of paper cannot be recycled?
Paper that cannot be recycled includes:
Paper towels
Any paper coated with plastic, wax, or fail

SOCIAL SCIENCE CLASS / LAMFORD SCHOOL

Juice boxes
Paper with a lot of contaminations (oils, food waste,
etc)
Shredded paper
Pet food bags
Dryer sheets
Wax paper

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can I recycle small paper or scraps of paper?
In recycling, paper size does matter. Finely cut paper that has
been shredded or crosscut cannot be recycled. The final size

SOCIAL SCIENCE CLASS / LAMFORD SCHOOL

determination is generally up to the municipality or recycling
business. My rule of thumb is to recycle everything that is at
least 2 inches square. That’s pretty small.
However, if the municipality won’t give you a specific size, then
I would consider this. If you throw away all small paper, it has a
100% chance of ending up in the landfill. If you instead send it
to the recycling bin, it at least has a chance to be included in
the recycling process.

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