Does shredding fax/thermal paper in the same bin as ordinary paper contaminate the whole batch for recycling?

Question

If I shred thermal paper (such as receipts and fax paper) and ordinary paper together, does that contaminate the whole batch so that it can no longer be recycled? If so, what should I do, just throw this whole batch in the trash (instead of recycling)?

Answer 1

it depends on the recycling/recovery method.  the more contaminated the more extensive the process of recovering useful material.

unfortunatly, you need to ask the organisation who are doing with recycling, as they will know if their systems will refine the the waste enough.

Answer 2

I agree with the response before mine, but wanted to add that you also need to know what your state or local requirements are for this.

NJ law allows for a small % ccontamination in recyclables with waste. Each individual recycling center is regulated and they have a percentage allotted to them that they can not exceed per regulation.

A small amount of receipts shouldn't hurt a batch of paper.