Paper

How to recycle

Paper is one of the most valuable recyclable materials, but only when it’s clean, so throw dirty paper in your rubbish bin (e.g. greasy/oily paper and paper contaminated with food).

Why oily paper and card can't be recycled

When paper and cardboard are recycled, they are mixed with water and turned into slurry. Grease from pizza boxes causes oil to form at the top of the slurry which results in the paper fibres not separating from the oils during the pulping process. When the water is squeezed out at the end to form new paper, it has spots and holes in it and so can’t be used.

Window envelopes and tissue boxes can be recycled. You don't need to separate the plastic film from the paper as this will done at the recycling plant.