What to do with shredded documents?

blue_elle

We recycle all our paper products, but I've got a shredder that's overflowing and I've avoided emptying it because I'm not sure what to do with it. It's a lot of paper, and I hate to just throw it all out, but it seems unsafe to put it in our recycling bin.

What to do?

curlydoglover

Add it to the compost.

We use it as a layer of weed block under bark mulch (similar to newspapers).

Tambcat

Isn't the purpose of shredding so that it IS safe put it in your recycle bin (or trash can, depending on the person)? Or am I missing something?

Alisha_A

Tamb, I believe that shredded paper can't be recycled. I know we aren't supposed to put it in recycling. It goes in the compost.

jebuell

Do you have any small pets?  I used to use my shreddings in the rat cage for fort building and in my bird cage.  Bird LOVE shredded paper!  I'd wrap the shreds in an unshredded piece of paper and Marley would go to town!

hollyfp

You could also use them in lieu of newspaper to help start a fire.

We skip the shredding & do this. 

blue_elle

Tambcat:

Isn't the purpose of shredding so that it IS safe put it in your recycle bin (or trash can, depending on the person)? Or am I missing something?

If we had a confetti shredder sure, but the ones that just make straight cuts would be easy for someone to piece together. Not really a big deal if it's going in the trash, since it won't be out in the open and gets mixed in with everything else. Our recycling bin, on the other hand, is wide open and gets set out by the road. Anyone could come by and pick up whatever.

We don't compost so that's out unfortunately. It's a great idea though.

Maybe strategically adding mismatched bits to the recycling for the next year until it's all gone  

blue_elle

Alisha_A:

Tamb, I believe that shredded paper can't be recycled. I know we aren't supposed to put it in recycling. It goes in the compost.

Do they say why it isn't allowed in recycling? Just curious.

Alisha_A

My understanding is the difficulty it adds to the sorting process.

Well even if you don't compost... you could bury it! Then its not out in the open, and will biodegrade!!

There are shredded paper recycling services -- sometimes for free through the city they will have certain pickups, etc, or secure services for businesses.

blue_elle

Alisha_A:

My understanding is the difficulty it adds to the sorting process.

Well even if you don't compost... you could bury it! Then its not out in the open, and will biodegrade!!

There are shredded paper recycling services -- sometimes for free through the city they will have certain pickups, etc, or secure services for businesses.

Hmm, I would love to see H's face as he goes down the "honey do" list

1. Fix toilet

2. Install fan

3. Bury top secret documents (at night of course so the neighbors don't see)

CDMay2006

Our recycling service picks it up as long as it's inside a paper bag.

smitbreit

We recycle ours too!

Marci17154

CDMay2006:

Our recycling service picks it up as long as it's inside a paper bag.

 

This.  

SDgirl22

We usually have a bonfire twice a year for this reason...we then get to enjoy a bonfire, and get to properly dispose of our documents! Though,I think composting is probably greener!

Tambcat

Oh, I see.  Our recycling goes in a regular can, like a trash can. Even if we had the bins, I'd probably just mix a big pile all up and figure the chances of anything happening to it are slim to none, but I'm not  exactly the most careful w/ my documents. We don't even have a shredder, and I just employ the rip up and (if I'm motivated enough) scatter among trash/recycling receptacles.

AlouetteBeans

Alisha_A:

Tamb, I believe that shredded paper can't be recycled. I know we aren't supposed to put it in recycling. It goes in the compost.

Depending on your center, or a center near you, you can in fact, recycle shredded paper. I used to work at a recycling plant and we accepted shredded paper, as well as offered confidential shredding. I think my office has this service (confidential shred-recycling)

Summerly2

Our recycling facility takes shredded documents/paper too (but we have to drop it off; we don't have pick-up).

Liza3394

jebuell:

Do you have any small pets?  I used to use my shreddings in the rat cage for fort building and in my bird cage.  Bird LOVE shredded paper!  I'd wrap the shreds in an unshredded piece of paper and Marley would go to town!

ditto this! Our rabbit gets our shredded docs as his litter box lining. Do you have any friends or family that could use the shredded paper as pet bedding? Otherwise, maybe donate to a local shelter - I'm not sure, but they might accept it. 

I always figure once its been shredded and then used by an animal as a litter absorbing material - no one is going near that!! haha

blue_elle

Liza3394:

jebuell:

Do you have any small pets?  I used to use my shreddings in the rat cage for fort building and in my bird cage.  Bird LOVE shredded paper!  I'd wrap the shreds in an unshredded piece of paper and Marley would go to town!

ditto this! Our rabbit gets our shredded docs as his litter box lining. Do you have any friends or family that could use the shredded paper as pet bedding? Otherwise, maybe donate to a local shelter - I'm not sure, but they might accept it. 

I always figure once its been shredded and then used by an animal as a litter absorbing material - no one is going near that!! haha

My sister has two rabbits, but they eat paper so they only get shredded paper for supervised play time. Darn bunnies, they need to be more cooperative to my disposal needs