Paper recycling: what goes in and what stays out

Clean paper can be recycled, including envelopes with windows, junk mail and shredded paper, says Recycle Now. Dirty or greasy paper cannot.

• UK

Key facts

• Put shredded paper in an envelope to keep it together.
• Brown paper goes with card, not paper, because it leaves brown flecks in new paper.
• Tissues, used paper towels, wet wipes and cotton wool cannot be recycled.
• Paper stained with food, grease or paint cannot be recycled. Nor can sticky notes or foil gift wrap.
• Plastic wrapping from magazines can go with plastic bags at larger supermarkets.

Last updated: 15 October 2026

Based on Recycle Now's own pages.

Accepted items

• Clean paper
• Envelopes, including windowed ones
• Magazines, brochures and junk mail
• Shredded paper

Restrictions

• Tissues, wet wipes and nappies cannot be recycled.

Related item guides

• Paper

Other kinds of place

• Tips near you: household waste recycling centres
• Recycling banks and bring sites near you
• Clothes donation bins and clothes banks near you
• Bottle banks near you for glass bottles and jars

Schemes and collection services

• Recycle Now locator
• Recycle Now: aerosols
• Recycle Now: cardboard
• Recycle Now: foil
• Recycle Now: food and drink cartons
• Recycle Now: food tins and drink cans