Paper
The average household throws away 3kg (about 7lbs) of paper every week, although many types of paper can be recycled.
Our recycling / disposal advice
All Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) in Hertfordshire collect paper for recycling.
Most readily recycled at these sites are newspapers, magazines, catalogues, directories made from white paper, Yellow Pages, and junk mail.
Please note that although HWRCs provide a paper recycling service, HWRCs do not provide a confidential waste disposal service. Please check the recycling advice for confidential paper waste. Shredded paper is accepted in the paper banks, although it should be placed within larger white envelopes where possible. This will prevent any loose shreds escaping and littering the site.
Reclaimed paper fibres can be used in the manufacture of packaging, newsprint, tissues, office and personal stationery, computer stationery, educational and photocopier paper. It is therefore important to 'close the recycling loop' by buying recycled products thus ensuring there is a demand for products made from recycled materials. Many printers and office stationery suppliers now sell recycled paper.
The HWRCs paper banks accept newspapers, magazines (including glossy magazines), catalogues, leaflets and junk mail. You do not need to remove the staples from magazines as these are removed during the recycling process by a large magnet. White envelopes, even with the windows, can also go into the paper banks.
The paper banks cannot accept cardboard (this can go in the cardboard containers), manila envelopes or dyed paper.
Dyed paper will discolour the end product if recycled. An easy way to see if paper is truly dyed or not (i.e. dyed on it's surface or all the way through) is to tear it a little. If the paper inside is not white then it is truly dyed.
The company that recycles the paper collected from Hertfordshire paper banks produces a white paper end product. They do not accept dyed paper as it makes it difficult to achieve their standards of white paper end product.
Paper can also be recycled through paper banks which are not at HWRCs or left out for the kerbside collection if you have one in your area that collects paper. Any questions about your kerbside collection should be directed at your local district or borough council.
Christmas card and paper waste: Christmas greetings cards and wrapping paper can be recycled at HWRCs, but in the cardboard containers rather than in the paper banks. For more information search under 'cardboard'.
Download and view our How materials are recycled leaflet.
Use the search below to find where to recycle / dispose of Paper.