Waxy paper, #4 plastic, and kraft envelopes

February 20 , 2004

Dear Marti,

Why can't things that are waxy be recycled? I'm throwing away waxy brochures and cardboard and wonder what's not recyclable about them.

Thanks,

Simone R.

Dear Simone,

Hold it! Before you throw, let's clear up some terminology confusion. "Waxy," according to the Eco-Cycle dictionary, refers to paper fiber that is literally coated with wax-when you run your fingernail up the box, wax comes off it. This material is not recyclable because the wax does not get removed in the recycling process and causes breaks, holes, tears, etc. in the new paper. But the material you're referring to isn't "waxed." The only example of waxed cardboard I know of is the kind used for shipping produce, so unless you are recycling boxes from a grocery store or reusing boxes you got at the grocery store, the cardboard you have is NOT "waxy," nor are the brochures-unless you accidentally spilled candle wax on them..

Now let's turn to the page in the Eco-Cycle dictionary that defines "glossy"- the material you're referring to. Glossy paper, like many brochures, magazines, shiny, colored corrugated cardboard boxes, cereal boxes, etc. are absolutely recyclable. So when you're tossing these products, switch your aim from the trash can to the recycling bin.

Dear Marti,

I notice there is a #4 in the recycling symbol in the plastic wrapping for the toilet paper and the paper towels that I buy. Can that plastic wrapping be recycled with your plastic bag collection program?

Signed,

Matt

Dear Matt,

Great question! Clearly you're familiar with our program at the CHaRM (Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials) that collects plastic bags with a #2 or #4 on them, including grocery bags, newspaper bags, and dry cleaning bags. We asked the company that buys our plastic bags to make new products whether this material could be included and sure enough, they say it's the sam e stuff. So yes! If your plastic wrapping for toilet paper or paper towels does have a #2 or #4 on it, then bring it to us at the CHaRM. (I did a little personal research in the stores and all the toilet paper and paper towel brands I saw did use a #4 wrapping.) You can find hours and directions to the CHaRM at www.ecocycle.org or call us at 303-444-6634. Note: Just a reminder, this material, including plastic bags, is not recyclable at the curb or at regular drop-off centers- it is accepted ONLY at the CHaRM. Thanks for asking, you just expanded our list of materials accepted!

Dear Marti,

Are the yellow office 8 1/2" x 11" envelopes considered "kraft" paper? It's confusing as to how dark the yellow must be to be classified as kraft paper or too dark to recycle. 

Thanks, Jan

Dear Jan,

Paper recycling can get tricky, especially when it comes to existential questions like, "what is dark"? You're right, we do ask you to keep dark reds, greens, blacks, etc. out of the recycling bin as well as fluorescent-colored papers. "Kraft" paper, those yellow/orange envelopes you describe, is in a class by itself not because of the darkness, but because of the color itself: goldenrod. Dark colored, fluorescent, or goldenrod-colored papers are colored by saturating the paper fibers with heavy-metal dyes that cannot be removed in the recycling process. Goldenrod is one of the worst offenders, so unless your envelopes are white or cream colored, please throw them away, or better yet, reuse them.

Why are these envelopes made so prolifically when they're toxic to manufacture and non-recyclable? I have no idea. It's an unnecessarily polluting design, and what we call "designing for the dump, not for the environment." But here's what we can do: stop buying them, and they'll stop making them. Choose recyclable white or cream colored envelopes instead (preferably with recycled content), and maybe that will become the new standard.

When in doubt, let this graphic serve as your guide. Happy Recycling!

From left to right: recyclable with corrugated cardboard, recyclable with office paper, and non-recyclable "kraft".