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Paper products that are recycled at paper mills across the country include:

  • Writing paper
  • Notebooks
  • Stationery 
  • Mail
  • Newspaper
  • Magazines
  • Catalogs
  • Shoe boxes
  • Tissue boxes
  • White office paper
  • Receipts
  • Paper bags
  • Envelopes
  • Cardboard boxes
  • Pizza boxes
  • Cereal boxes
  • Milk & juice cartons
  • Paper cups
  • Frozen food boxes
  • Takeout food containers
  • Over-the-counter medicine boxes
  • Candy boxes
  • Bakery boxes
  • Paper padded mailers

What Can You Do?

Check your local government or community's website to understand what’s accepted in your area.

Wishcycling is when you put something in your recycling bin hoping it will be recycled. Sometimes it can’t be. That can cause problems in the recycling stream.

Putting non-recyclables in the recycling bin clogs up the machines and can possibly injure the operations crew. That includes things like:

  • Plastic bags and films
  • Wire hangers
  • Holiday lights
  • Garden hoses

When it comes to recycling paper items, remember to keep them dry and clean. Also, remove any confidential information before disposing.

Dive Into Common Recycling Questions

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A person putting different types of recyclable cartons in a recycling bin.

How to Recycle Cartons

Are milk cartons recyclable? Yes! Cartons become new products like boxes, toilet paper and even ceiling tiles. Learn which cartons are okay to recycle and how to recycle them.

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Different types of mail including window envelopes, magazines and cards on a table.

How to Recycle All Types of Mail

Bills, advertisements, magazines and catalogs, a card and maybe an exciting online purchase that came in a box or padded envelope. Learn what's okay to recycle.

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An Amazon paper padded mailer

How to Recycle Paper Padded Mailers

Are paper padded mailers recyclable? The answer depends on what type of mailer you received. We help explain what to do for the 3 most common mailers.