Merici College Green Tip #12 - What to do with used paper towel

Sustainability at Merici

Used paper towel is often found in the yellow recycling bins at Merici.

Paper towels are not recyclable and cannot be disposed of alongside your other paper and cardboard recyclables.

Although paper towels are typically made using wood or cardboard, the process that gets them kitchen-ready makes them non-recyclable

Plus, they can also be contaminated with toxic or non-organic products.

Unbleached paper towels can go in the compost.

Others must sadly go to landfill. 

In this case seek alternatives to using paper towel to reduce your waste, for example cloths or newspaper.

Felicity Maher
Sustainability Officer

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