Can you recycle magazines

Most experts point to the idea that paper can be recycled five to seven times throughout its lifespan. A newspaper is a lower grade paper that can be used to create more newspapers, tissue, and other types of products.

Most recycling centers are not going to be interested in purchasing a lot of old magazines from you. They tend to buy their mixed paper lots by the ton, which simply is not feasible for the average individual.

Instead, most people may have just a carton or two of old magazines around their house that they are looking to get rid of. Unlike aluminum cans and glass bottles that offer a return for recycling them, paper products do not have this same luxury. If, for some reason, you do come into a rather large stash of old magazines, you can expect to receive a pretty small sum of money for them.

Many companies pay just pennies per pound and require hundreds of pounds to make a transaction with you. While many types of paper can be placed in your blue recycling bin, there are plenty of types of paper that simply belong in the trash. This can contaminate the pulp and should not be placed in the curbside recycling bin. While these can be great for cleaning up kitchen messes, paper towels belong in the garbage can for this very reason.

The rule of thumb is that most paper products can be recycled between five and seven times. Each time they are recycled, the paper fibers grow shorter and shorter, limiting what can be made from them. Newspaper and tissue are typically made from short fibers that have already been recycled several times. Skip to content When you open up the mailbox, it is probably stuffed with unwanted catalogs, magazine subscriptions, and maybe even old newspapers. Can you recycle magazines, catalogs, and newspapers?

Table of Contents. You definitely want to check with your local program, though. Companies like Better World Books and Discover Books will accept books in good condition to sell them online. These companies operate drop-off bins in many shopping mall parking lots. You can also ask your local library if it accepts used books, as they can be sold to companies like the ones mentioned above or sold in book sales to raise money for library programs. Even though the paper recycling process introduces water, when you get paper wet and it dries, it manipulates the fibers as a result, it feels more stiff.

Most media these days are printed using soy-based ink, which is easily removed during the recycling process. Several states have passed laws requiring paper products be recycled, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as Washington, D. Glossy paper, such as that found in magazines, fliers, junk mail, brochures, business cards , etc.

Glossy paper gets it shiny surface from additives, such as minerals or resins that fill in the gaps in the fibers of the paper to create a smooth, shiny surface. Magazines, brochures, fliers and junk mail all fall into this category, and all belong in the recycle bin.

Most business cards also belong in the bin, with some exceptions. Some business cards have extra coatings made of polymers to make them more durable and impressive. While this coating creates that fancy look and adds a layer of professionalism, it also may make them unrecyclable. If you have those kinds of cards on your hands, test them to see if they will rip easily. Another one to watch out for it giftwrap. While many paper products can be recovered up to seven times before their fiber strength is lost, paper with a metallic coating, such as certain giftwraps, cannot be recycled.

If it remains crumpled, you can recycle it. If possible, try to steer clear of metallic paper to begin with, and purchase products that are responsibly sourced by looking for the Forest Steward Council seal. Shopping green when you can, and participating in community recycling programs, are two positive things you can do to take an active role in creating a zero-waste economy.

Convert your old magazines into gift-wrap. Create a collage. Reuse unwanted business cards by turning them into bookmarks or into other creative, fun things. So remember, normal glossy paper goes in the recycle bin. But before you put it there, why not repurpose it and have some fun with it by making something new and uniquely yours with it? Have you done DIY projects with magazines or business cards?

However, like with books, magazines are finding some salvation in digital sales. As more people use tablets and other e-readers to consume media, more people are interested in downloading magazines or reading them online. This is a great practice because it allows you to cut down on the amount of paper you consume. However, if you are still a fan of print magazines or were and are trying to purge your home of unwanted copies , you have several good options for recycling or reusing them when you are finished with them.

How to recycle magazines Many curbside recycling programs will accept magazines. Any community that accepts magazine should also accept catalogs and other things printed on coated paper. If your curbside program cannot take magazines for some reason, see if your community has another place that accepts them. Tuscaloosa, AL, has recycling drop-off containers all over town to give residents an easy way to recycle magazines and other goods.

Magazines are one of a handful of items accepted at tiny Levelland, TX, recycling center. One way you should not recycle magazines is by putting them in the compost bin. Magazine inks can contain heavy metal, and some magazine pages are coated in plastic or other materials that will not break down in your bin. How to reuse magazines as-is Even if you do not want all your old copies of Martha Stewart Living, National Geographic or Expert Gamer, it is entirely possible someone else does.