Can you recycle shredded paper?
Varies — some councils accept it bagged in recycling, many refuse it
Shredding cuts paper fibres too short for many mills, and loose shreds jam sorting machinery and blow away, so councils are split: some accept shredded paper (often only in a paper bag or envelope), many say general waste or compost. Check your council's rules. Shredded paper is excellent in home compost bins and as pet bedding.
Tips
- Only shred the sensitive part of a document — recycle the rest whole
- Home compost it or use as pet bedding
- If your council accepts it, contain it in a paper bag
Which bin does it go in?
Varies — some councils accept it bagged in recycling, many refuse it Exact rules depend on your council — check its website or look up your postcode below.
Councils can use different containers and accepted-item lists.
Background: The 10 recycling mistakes that ruin lorry-loads.
Also searched as: shreddings, destroyed documents.
✓ Checked against current UK guidance: 14 Jul 2026. Spot an error or an out-of-date rule?