Resilient Recycler: How to recycle small pieces of paper

Can small pieces of paper be recycled?

Small pieces of paper should not be placed in recycling carts such as Post-it notes, business cards, price tags and paper scraps smaller than a 4"x6" postcard. Despite being made of a material that is recyclable, here in Clark County, the sorting machine at the transfer station sorts items based on size and shape. Because of this, the machine has trouble identifying and properly processing small pieces of paper. Ultimately, the small paper creates a mess for staff to clean up and is eventually placed in the garbage. 

So what should you do instead?

Use an alternative way to recycle small pieces of paper. Plain paper can be used when backyard composting but avoid glossy or colored paper. Shredded paper can also be used for worm bin bedding! If these options aren't available to you, it is okay to place the paper in the garbage.

Why is it important?

Small pieces of paper are best left out of the recycling because they create a mess at the transfer station. Even though the paper is made of a recyclable material, the size is too small to be sorted by the machine and will eventually end up as garbage. Help us keep small pieces of paper out of the recycling!