Everything you need to know about recycling phone books
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Learn more about recycling phone books
How to recycle phone books
Phone books can be recycled via comingled recycling bins or mixed paper bins. Generally, these workplace bin services are provided by commercial recyclers or councils. Businesses and workplaces that generate large amounts of paper waste can organise a paper recycling service and separate bin through a waste management provider. Separating the paper from other recyclables protects the paper from contaminates, such as water and food scraps, so it can be recycled into a higher quality recycled product.
Some commercial recycling facilities also offer drop-off services for large quantities of paper. Use the directory on this page to find a recycler near you.
Why recycle?
Paper placed in landfill creates the green house gas methane. Mixed paper, including phone books, can be recycled and used to re-manufacture paper products, saving trees and reducing water and energy use.
What happens to them?
Recycling paper begins by breaking down the product, chemically or mechanically, to free the fibres and create pulp. The pulp is re-manufactured into paper products in a similar way to first production paper. The waste products left over from the recycling process (ink, short fibres and plastics) are either sent to landfill, burnt for energy or used as fertiliser.
Paper can be recycled into many things including office paper, packaging, toilet paper, egg cartons, soundproofing, furniture and cardboard. Paper can be recycled up to eight times and then it is turned into organic waste and breaks down.
