Video: Can I Recycle That? Mixed Paper

 

Is paper recyclable? Short answer: most of the time. Watch this video to learn how to properly recycle mixed paper products.

 

Can I Recycle That? How to Recycle Mixed Paper

 

Paper is everywhere. Things like newspapers, printouts, magazines, and cereal boxes are considered mixed paper, and they are definitely recyclable. Color or black and white! And what about envelopes? Yup, recyclable, so don’t let those tiny windows throw you off. Paper takeout food containers can sometimes be recycled, too. But only if they’re clean, dry, and empty.

 

So, what’s not recyclable? Metal foil or plasticized gift wrap, packages of combined paper and plastic, and paper with a thick coating or a laminate. Thin, weak paper like napkins, paper towels, and tissue paper should stay out of your bin, too. Formed pulp, sometimes used in things like egg cartons, is not always accepted. But they can be composted and are often made of recycled content too.

 

More Recycling Resources

 

Once you’ve watched the video, check out these fun activities and lessons.

 

Lesson Plan: Making Paper

Your students will have so much fun making their own paper in this hands-on lesson! Use this lesson with early elementary kids. You’ll need to set aside two 45-minute sessions to complete it.

 

Lesson Plan: Fundamentals of Waste

Help high school students understand why waste management is a critical issue for a sustainable future. This lesson takes about an hour to complete.

 

Lesson Plan: Something From Nothing & the 3 Rs

This one is for the younger crowd. They’ll learn a new and exciting way to limit the amount of waste they produce by reusing it for something completely different!

 

Free Digital Slideshow: The Ins and Outs of Recycling

Getting ready to talk to your students about recycling? Need to lead a meeting about bringing recycling to your school? You’ll love this free recycling slideshow! It’s available in PowerPoint or Prezi.

 

Lesson Plan: The Life Cycle of Recycling

Have you ever considered what happens to an aluminum can after you drop it into the recycling bin? In this science and language arts lesson, students explore the life cycle of recycling.