How to Dispose or Recycle Paper, Envelopes, Books, Catalogs, and Magazines
Most clean, dry paper products can be recycled through curbside programs, but local rules vary. Keep paper loose in the recycling cart, unless your local provider specifically requires bagging for shredded paper. Avoid placing food-soiled, waxed, laminated, or heavily plastic-coated paper in recycling.
The U.S. EPA confirms that most community recycling programs accept paper products, including newspapers, magazines, mail, envelopes with plastic windows, and paperback books. Check local rules before recycling because acceptance can differ by community.
What can usually be recycled
Item | Usually accepted? | Preparation |
Office paper, printer paper, notebook paper | Yes | Keep clean and dry |
Newspapers and paper inserts | Yes | Remove plastic sleeves |
Junk mail | Yes | Remove plastic cards, magnets, and nonpaper items |
Envelopes, including window envelopes | Usually yes | Plastic windows generally do not need to be removed |
Catalogs and magazines | Yes | Remove plastic sleeves and promotional inserts |
Paperback books | Often yes | Donate first if usable; recycle if worn or damaged |
Cardboard and paperboard | Yes | Flatten boxes and keep dry |
Greeting cards and wrapping paper | Sometimes | Remove glitter, foil, bows, ribbons, batteries, and nonpaper decorations |
Shredded paper | Sometimes | Check locally. Many programs do not accept loose shreds |
Envelopes and mail
Most paper envelopes can be recycled, including envelopes with address labels, paper glue, staples, and plastic windows. Modern paper-sorting systems can generally separate the small plastic window during processing.
Before recycling mail:
Remove credit cards, gift cards, plastic ID cards, magnets, keys, pens, and nonpaper inserts.
Shred or destroy confidential information if needed.
Recycle the remaining paper whole when possible.
Remove bubble-wrap lining, plastic padding, foil lining, or other nonpaper materials from padded mailers.
Do not place plastic padded envelopes, bubble mailers, metallic mailers, Tyvek-style envelopes, or heavily laminated envelopes in paper recycling. Check whether a local plastic-film drop-off program accepts clean, empty plastic mailers.
Books
Donate readable books first. Libraries, schools, Little Free Libraries, thrift stores, senior centers, shelters, prisons with approved book-donation programs, and community organizations may accept books, but requirements vary.
For books that cannot be reused:
Paperback books: Often recyclable as mixed paper.
Hardcover books: Remove the hard cover and spine before recycling the paper pages, unless a local facility accepts the entire book.
Spiral-bound books: Remove metal spirals, plastic comb bindings, and large metal fasteners when possible.
Plastic-covered, laminated, wet, moldy, or heavily damaged books: Usually belong in the trash unless a textile, paper, or specialty recycler accepts them.
EPA advises donating usable books first. If a book is not reusable, paperback books can generally be recycled as-is, while hardcover books typically require removal of the cover before recycling.
Catalogs and magazines
Clean, dry magazines, catalogs, brochures, phone books, and glossy paper are accepted by many curbside programs. Modern paper mills can usually process glossy paper coatings, but thick plastic covers, plastic wrap, samples, magnets, stickers, and nonpaper inserts should be removed first.
If you receive unwanted catalogs:
Contact the company directly and request removal from its mailing list.
Use a catalog-preference service where available.
Recycle the catalog once received if it is clean and accepted locally.
Shredded paper
Shredded paper is different from whole sheets. Small pieces can fall through sorting screens, blow away, contaminate other materials, or reduce the value of paper fibers.
Before shredding, consider tearing out and destroying only the confidential section, then recycle the rest of the page whole.
If your local program accepts shredded paper:
Place it in a paper bag only if your program instructs you to do so.
Staple or fold the paper bag closed if required.
Do not use plastic bags unless your local program specifically allows them.
Keep shredded paper clean, dry, and free of plastic, labels, clips, or other contaminants.
Keep these out
Do not place the following in paper recycling unless your local program specifically accepts them:
Greasy pizza-box bottoms, food-soiled napkins, tissues, paper towels, and paper plates
Waxed paper, waxed cardboard, parchment paper, and baking cups
Laminated paper, plastic-coated paper, or thermal-paper receipts
Glittery, foil-covered, metallic, or plastic-coated gift wrap
Plastic bags, bubble wrap, bubble mailers, or padded envelopes
Hardcover book covers, plastic bindings, metal spirals, and large clips
Wet, moldy, or heavily contaminated paper
Receipts printed on thermal paper
Disposable coffee cups, unless your local program specifically accepts them
A clean pizza-box lid may be recyclable, but the greasy or food-soiled bottom should be placed in the trash.
Quick recycling checklist
Keep paper clean and dry.
Remove plastic sleeves, bubble wrap, magnets, cards, samples, and other nonpaper materials.
Recycle envelopes with windows unless your local program says otherwise.
Donate usable books before recycling them.
Recycle paperback books where accepted; remove hard covers from hardcover books unless the facility says it accepts them.
Check local rules before recycling shredded paper.
Keep paper loose in the bin unless your program provides other instructions.
Do not place paper in plastic bags in curbside recycling.
Safety and Legal Notice
This guide is for educational purposes only. Recycling rules vary by community, waste hauler, recycling facility, and paper type. Confirm current acceptance requirements with your local recycling provider before placing materials in a curbside cart or drop-off bin.
