Can you recycle laminated paper and documents?

Once paper is laminated in plastic pouches it cannot be separated at the mill, so laminated menus, signs, certificates and learning resources all go in general waste. If you can peel the plastic away cleanly (rare), the paper part can be recycled. Avoid laminating things that have a short life.

Tips

• Use reusable plastic wallets instead of laminating
• Whiteboard-style wipeable sheets are a good alternative

Which bin does it go in?

General waste

Before throwing it away, see reuse, repair and donation routes.

Background: The 10 recycling mistakes that ruin lorry-loads.

Also searched as: laminated sheets, laminating pouches.