By Susan Wineland
Orange Recycling Committee
To protect your privacy, you should shred anything with sensitive information on it, such as documents with your Social Security number, financial statements, and medical records. Some people have paper shredders at home and others bring their sensitive records to a free paper shredding day such as the one in Orange on Saturday, May 3rd at High Plains Community Center from 9:00 AM to Noon.
The reason why these events are so important is because shredded paper cannot be combined with our other recycling. In fact, shredded paper is a huge problem for recycling facilities. Shredded bits of paper are too small to be sorted by the recycling facility’s machinery. And they can contaminate other materials and lead to equipment malfunctions. When households send their shredded paper for recycling in paper bags, the shredding machines rip the bags and tiny pieces fly everywhere. When people put the shredded paper in plastic bags, not only do the shreds also fly everywhere but the plastic wrapped around the equipment, shutting down the facility for cleaning and repairs.
As a solution, many towns offer free paper shredding events such as the one being held in Orange on May 3rd. If you have sensitive documents that you need shredded, remove any clips and bring them to this event.
It’s always best to avoid unnecessary shredding and recycle paper in a blue bin or by dropping it at the Orange Transfer Station with other mixed recyclables. Whole pieces of paper with their longer and stronger fibers can be made into new paper.
Another great alternative for shredded paper is to add it to your compost pile – with a few guidelines. The paper itself is carbon-rich and organic, meaning it is biodegradable and can break down into useful nutrients for the soil. The type of paper does matter when it comes to composting. Plain, uncoated paper, such as newspaper, office paper, or brown paper bags, can be added to your compost pile without any issues. These types of paper are usually made from wood pulp, which
is a natural, biodegradable material that will break down well over time. The cellulose fibers in the paper are a great addition to the composting process, as they help to balance the carbon content in the pile. However, paper that has been heavily processed or treated with chemicals, like glossy magazines or colored paper, should be avoided. These materials may contain inks, dyes, and coatings that could potentially harm the compost pile or leach harmful chemicals into the soil. So stick to plain paper whenever possible.
Another important factor is the size of the shredded paper. The smaller the paper pieces, the quicker they’ll break down in the compost pile – although too much at once can become compacted. To avoid this, try to shred the paper into strips rather than tiny pieces, and mix it well with other compostable materials like leaves, grass clippings, or food scraps to ensure good aeration. Additionally, shredded paper can be used as a great bedding material in compost bins or worm composting systems, providing a comfortable and absorbent environment for your worms.
To summarize, shredded paper can certainly be composted, as long as it’s the right type of paper, shredded appropriately, and added in moderation. By carefully incorporating shredded paper into your compost pile, you can recycle this common household waste into valuable, nutrient-rich compost for your garden. It’s always best to avoid unnecessary shredding but if you need to, recycle shredded paper in a blue bin or, if it’s the right type of paper, compost it. If you do have paper containing sensitive information, take advantage of free paper shredding events such as the one being held in Orange on May 3rd. That morning will also be offering a drop off for household chemical waste, mattress, box springs and electronics recycling, clothing and household items and food donations.
Susan Wineland is a member of the Orange Recycling Committee.