Merici College Green Tip # 18 - Paper towels are not recyclable

Sustainability at Merici

Paper towels are being put into the paper recycling here at Merici.

Please note that paper towels are not recyclable. 

They are made from low-quality pulp which has already been recycled several times, causing the fibres to break down.

The good news! Most paper towels are compostable, providing and environmentally friendly alternative to landfill.

Please compost:

  • Paper towels made from 100% recycled materials can be added to your compost.
  • Bamboo paper towels are generally compostable, but check the packaging for synthetics.
  • Paper towels exposed to ground soil, organic matter such as food, and water are compostable.

Not compostable are:

Decorated, patterned and bleached paper towels.

Unfortunately these must go to landfill.

So please minimise paper towel use.  

Where paper towel use is necessary, please choose compostable options and do not put them in the paper recycling at school or at home.

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