Short answer
Quite a few people can use shredded paper: gardeners and composters, crafters, people packing or moving, some animal shelters, and anyone who wants cheap filler for gifts. But whether you can put it in your curbside recycling is a separate question, and many programs say no. The best approach is to check your local rules, shred less in the first place, and reuse what you do shred.
Can you recycle shredded paper?
Often not through curbside collection. Local programs commonly explain it this way:
- Shreds are small and light, so they can slip through sorting machinery or fall through conveyor belts at the recycling facility.
- They can cling to other materials or stick to equipment.
- Shredding cuts the paper fibres short, and shorter fibres are less useful for making new paper.
Because of this, some places ask you to take shreds to a paper-only drop-off bin or a community shredding event instead. Others allow them in a bag in specific circumstances. Rules vary by locality, and they change, so check your city or county recycling website before bagging anything.
Who can use shredded paper
- Gardeners and composters: shreds can act as a “brown” carbon-rich layer.
- Crafters and teachers: shreds work in paper clay, handmade paper, seed paper and collage.
- People moving or shipping: shreds can cushion fragile items.
- Pet owners and small-animal keepers: some use plain shreds as bedding. Check that the paper suits your animal and is free of glossy or heavily inked pages.
- Animal shelters and rescues: some accept clean shreds as bedding, but call first, because needs differ and many do not take them.
- Gift makers: shreds make filler for gift bags and baskets.
- Neighbours and swap groups: offering shreds on a local sharing page can find someone who wants them.
Practical uses at home
- Packing material. Loosely crumpled shreds can pad boxes for storage or moving.
- Fire starters. Some people stuff shreds into cardboard tubes or egg cartons. Fire is a real hazard, so keep these away from children, use only in a suitable fireplace or stove, and follow local fire rules.
- Pot filler. Shreds can hold silk flower arrangements in place in an opaque vase.
- Mulch layer. Plain paper shreds can go under mulch or soil in a garden bed, though thick layers can mat down, so spread them thinly.
- Litter or bedding extender. Some owners use plain paper in litter boxes. Check product guidance for your pet.
Creative craft uses
This is where shredded paper becomes interesting for paper crafters:
- Paper clay or pulp: soak shreds, blend into a pulp, and mix with a binder such as glue or flour paste to mold small objects. Results vary, so test a small batch first.
- Handmade paper: blend soaked shreds, spread on a screen and dry. It takes practice, but it is a classic way to make your own recycled sheets.
- Seed paper: mix pulp with flower seeds and press into sheets. Use seeds suited to your area and avoid invasive species.
- Gift filler and baskets: use plain or colored shreds as a base layer under decorations.
- Confetti and collage texture: shreds can add dimension to cards and scrapbook pages.
- Paper mache: shreds can add bulk to a pulp mixture.
Our other guides on whether paper is biodegradable help you decide which crafts are safe for the garden.
Composting shredded paper
Plain paper shreds can provide carbon in a compost pile, especially when leaves are scarce. Tips:
- Mix them with moist “green” material such as vegetable scraps, so they do not clump.
- Avoid glossy, coated or heavily colored paper.
- Do not add anything with plastic windows, tape or staples.
- Check whether your compost program, if you use one, accepts paper.
What not to reuse
- Glossy or coated paper, which breaks down poorly.
- Paper with sensitive personal information, if you intend to give the shreds to others. Cross-cut shreds are harder to piece together than strips, but if the data is very sensitive, consider a secure shredding or destruction service instead.
- Food-soiled or oily paper.
- Paper from unknown sources if you plan to use it for animal bedding.
Free ways to dispose of shredded paper
- Take it to a paper-only drop-off bin, if your area has one.
- Look for community shredding events, which sometimes accept bagged shreds.
- Check your municipal website for guidance on bags or paper bins.
- Offer it to neighbours, gardeners, schools or crafters.
- Compost small amounts yourself.
Shred less
Many documents contain sensitive details on only one page. Shredding just those pages, and recycling the rest whole, produces fewer shreds and keeps more paper recyclable. Cutting down on paper mail also helps, which is covered in our guide to going paperless at home.
FAQ
Should I throw out or recycle shredded paper?
Check local rules first. If curbside recycling does not accept it, look for a drop-off bin or reuse it before putting it in the trash.
What can I do with shredded paper at home?
Use it for packing, compost, mulch, gift filler or crafts such as paper clay and handmade paper.
Does anyone use shredded paper?
Yes, including gardeners, crafters and some animal shelters, though shelters should be contacted first.
How can I dispose of shredded paper for free?
Try drop-off bins, community shred events, composting, or passing it on to someone who can use it.