Pack Into a Paper Bag
Loose shredded paper can slip through the paper separator when recycled, so pack it into a paper bag and staple shut.
OK to Compost
Shredded paper is compostable as long as it’s not colored or glossy. If you are adding a lot of shredded paper to your home compost pile, add some grass to lower the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio.
Ways to Reduce
Shred Selectively
It’s not always necessary to shred a document entirely. You really only need to shred the parts that contain private information. If protected info is removed and shredded, the rest of the document can be recycled.
Cut Back on Junk Mail
If you find yourself shredding junk mail to protect personal information, register with the Direct Marketing Association to remove your name from most mailing lists for five years (for a $2 processing fee). This won’t affect companies you’ve purchased from, so use Catalog Choice or the free app PaperKarma to request specific senders to cease mailings.
