Recycled paper has obvious uses in producing standard recycled paper products for home and office use. These products include letterhead, stationary, envelopes, business cards, brochure paper and copy paper. Nearly one-third of recycled newspaper is reused to make additional newsprint. Recycled paper also appears in some unexpected places around the home.
In the Kitchen
Purchase products from recycled paper to use in your kitchen. Use coffee filters made from post-consumer waste to go green with your morning coffee. In the event that you are unable to avoid using paper products for meals, select dishes and napkins made from recycled paper. Egg cartons are made from a combination of recycled paper and molded pulp. Dish towels made from 100 percent recycled paper are now widely available in most supermarkets. Thinking of a kitchen remodel? Believe it or not, kitchen countertops can now be made with post-consumer waste products--including paper.
In the Bathroom
Use paper towels, bathroom tissue and facial tissue made from recycled paper. Baby can even get in on the action; many "green" companies now make diapers and training pants that include recycled wood pulp as a leading ingredient.
In the Yard
Recycle paper without leaving your home. Reuse newsprint in your garden. Cut newspaper into narrow strips and place around plants to deter weed growth and prevent soil erosion. Hydro-mulching, a process used by landscaping companies to plant grasses and other seeds, relies on the same wood fibers found in newsprint as a main ingredient in the mulch used.
Add paper of any nearly any kind to your garden compost to complement other compost materials. Paper absorbs water in the compost, minimizing odors and protecting against unwanted leaks. It also provides the compost with an additional source of carbon. According to the Composting Council of Alexandria, Virginia, the initial carbon/nitrogen ratio is a critical barometer for successful composting. Because paper is made primarily from plants, including paper in your compost returns it to its original source, where it will help return organic material to your depleted soil.
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