Paper

Recommended disposal options

Recycle

Paper can be recycled at home.  

Paper that can be recycled includes:

  • Mail, office and school papers
  • Magazines and catalogs
  • Newspapers and inserts
  • Phone books
  • Boxes: cardboard, boxes from cereal, crackers, shoes, electronics, toothpaste, medication and other toiletry items 

See confidential paper for guidelines on preparing confidential paper for recycling. 

Most recycling programs do not accept: pizza boxes, egg cartons, boxes soiled with food, boxes from frozen foods, paper towels, napkins and plates, gift wrap or wrapping paper, hard-cover books, carbon paper or blue print paper and padded envelopes.

Other disposal options

Hennepin County drop-off facilities

See restrictions and instructions below:

Drop-off facilities accept:

Mail, office and school paper; magazines and catalogs; newspapers and inserts; phone books; cardboard; boxes from cereal, crackers, shoes, electronics, toothpaste, medication and other toiletry items

Fee

No charge

Drop-off limit

100 phone books per drop off; no limit on other types of paper

Materials preparation

Cardboard must be 3 feet by 3 feet or smaller sized

Drop-off facilities do not accept:

Greasy or food soiled delivery pizza boxes, egg cartons, boxes soiled with food, boxes from frozen foods, paper towels, napkins and plates, gift wrap or wrapping paper, hard-cover books, carbon paper or blue print paper and padded envelopes.

Put in organics recycling

Food-soiled paper, including pizza boxes, egg cartons, and paper towels, napkins, BPI-certified cups and plates, are accepted in organics recycling programs.

Rethink and reduce

  • Get tips for reducing the amount of unwanted mail, catalogs and magazines you receive in the Hold the Mail brochure (PDF).
  • Opt out of receiving phone books.
  • Catalogs and magazines can be reused by giving to family or friends.
  • Check with local schools, book stores and libraries to see if they will accept donations of catalogs, magazine and other paper products for art projects.