Recycling Tip: Paper Towels and Napkins Can Go in the Food Scrap Bin

Recycling Tip of the Week: Paper towels, paper napkins and tissues do NOT go in paper recycling—They can go in the food scraps bin

Paper towels, paper napkins and tissues should not be placed in paper recycling. Whether they are unused or used, they cannot be recycled. These are "end of life" paper products as they are made from highly processed wood pulp that creates extremely short, weak fiber which cannot be turned into new paper products. They can, however, be placed in food scrap recycling as long as they have not been contaminated with cleaning products or other chemicals. Since the fibers come from wood, they can be composted. Placing uncontaminated paper towels, paper napkins and tissues into food scrap recycling will guarantee that these products will be reused as compost. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].