Omaha Recycling Guide
Shredded Paper
Some Restrictions Apply
ACCEPTED: Small Amounts Sealed in a Paper Envelope
Place only a handful of shredded paper or paper scraps smaller than 3" inside a larger paper envelope that you plan to recycle. Place the envelope filled with shredded paper in a curbside recycling cart or drop-off site container.
NOT ACCEPTED: Bulk Amounts; No Bags
DO NOT place shredded paper by itself or in any type of bag in a City of Omaha curbside recycling cart or drop-off site container.
Place large amounts or bagged shredded paper in the garbage if you cannot use an alternative option.
Important Note: Please be aware that the inherent small size of shredded paper means much of it will fall out of the recycling system and end up going to the landfill. This is especially true for cross-cut shredded paper.
Where Else Could It Go?
If you have a large amount of shredded paper to recycle or many documents to be shredded, watch for community shredding events. Participating in a local shred event makes the recycling of shredded material more efficient. It is common to find local businesses or neighborhood groups holding low or no-cost shred events at various locations throughout the year.
Some local businesses offer paid programs for secure data and paper shredding. Call ahead to confirm guidelines, hours, and fees.
Ways to Reduce or Reuse
Only shred the bare minimum and recycle the rest of your pages whole. Prioritize shredding only the pages or partial pages containing information that could be used for identity theft.
Did You Know
Due to its small size, shredded paper CANNOT go in a green-lid curbside cart or drop-off recycling container by itself. It frequently falls out of the recycling system and can end up going to the landfill.
Shredded paper CANNOT go in plastic bags or paper bags because it is problematic for the recycling process: (1) plastic bags are NOT accepted in City of Omaha recycling, and (2) paper sacks need to be opened, which causes the shredded paper to fall out.
If you have large amounts, it is best to look for a community shredding event or take your shredded paper to a business that offers bulk recycling.