How do I recycle paper that has been used for food purposes, like take out fast food?

Question

The only fast food I ever get is Taco Bell, but sometimes this paper is exposed to beans, taco sauce, etc. I recycle paper and plastic and metal already, so I would like to recycle this, too, but can I and how?

Answer 1

Unfortunatly, if the paper is soiled, you cant recycle it.

Sorry!

Answer 2

It is,  unfortunately, unable to recycle paper which has come into contact with food items.  VERY unfortunate!

Maybe we should _-*BOYCOTT*-_ places which do this!?

Just eat at home and pack a lunch!!

Vincent Reagan

Hawkeye

vincengreenbay yim

G O  C H A R G E R S!!!!!!

Answer 3

If you had a worm compost bin, you could put your contaminated paper in this, shredded first, and the worms would probably eat the lot. Or you could get a rat-proof compost bin, shred the paper and add it in small quantities with your kitchen waste. Or you could let the dog l**k it clean and write your next shopping list on it!

Answer 4

Recycling stuff like that btakes FAR more energy than it saves.  It's better to burn it in a burn barrel.

Answer 5

As with most paper, it will be difficult to recycle that item. One way of reusing it( which is about all you can do with such an item) is to cut or tear it into sheets, and use it as scrap writing paper. This, in turn, eliminates the need to buy scrap writing paper which means that people will cut down fewer trees and make less due to a falling demand.

Answer 6

This page explains why soiled paper products are a problem in recycling: http://recycling.stanford.edu/recycling/...

Check with your local recycling service to see what their rules are. In our area, they recently changed the rules to allow soiled paper products to be included in yard waste for composting.

I do my own composting, and would not include paper plates that were soiled with cooked food or oils.