Unfortunately, paper towels are not recyclable. As a result, they should NOT be put into your residential recycling bin or in a recycling drop-off container. If the paper towels do not contain chemicals, they can be composted through a food scrap drop-off program or in your backyard compost bin. If you don’t have access to composting, please place paper towels in the trash.

WHY CAN’T THIS BE RECYCLED?

The fibers in paper towels are too short to be recycled. Each time paper is recycled the fibers get shorter. At some point, those fibers are no longer long enough to be recycled.

QUICK TIPS

• Use cloth towels in your kitchen! Not only is it better for the environment, it may save you money in the long run!
• If you have a backyard composting bin or pile, paper towels and napkins can be a good source of carbon and can be composted along with other organic materials.

Almost 1,000,000 pounds of food waste is landfilled daily in Franklin County. Residents have many options to reduce food waste, including smarter meal planning strategies, in-the-kitchen prevention techniques, and backyard composting.      

Visit Save More Than Food for resources on food waste prevention, donation, and composting.

Related Recycling Categories

Grass Clippings Leaves Paper Towels Shrubs Twigs & Brush Weeds

Twigs and small branches can be composted through curbside or drop-off yard waste programs.

QUICK TIPS

• Keep it loose in a container clearly marked “yard waste” or use compostable paper bags. Do not place material in plastic bags.
• Twigs can also be bundled with biodegradable twine or string (no nylon string or rope). Limitations on the size of the branches may apply. Call the facility to confirm.   
• No food, pet waste, dirt or rocks, sod, plastic pots, or any other non-organic material is accepted.

WHERE CAN I COMPOST THESE ITEMS?

Most communities provide residential curbside collection of yard waste, and it can be dropped off at several participating local businesses.

Related Recycling Categories

Food Waste & Scraps Grass Clippings Leaves Paper Towels Shrubs Weeds

Weeds can be composted through curbside or drop-off yard waste programs.

QUICK TIPS

• Keep it loose in a container clearly marked “yard waste” or use compostable paper bags. Do not place material in plastic bags.
• No food, pet waste, dirt or rocks, sod, plastic pots, or any other non-organic material is accepted.
• Weeds are generally not suitable for home composting but can be composted through curbside or drop-off yard waste programs. 

WHERE CAN I COMPOST THESE ITEMS?

Most communities provide residential curbside collection of yard waste, and it can be dropped off at several participating local businesses.

Related Recycling Categories

Food Waste & Scraps Grass Clippings Leaves Paper Towels Shrubs Twigs & Brush

Shrubs and other woody plants can be composted through curbside or drop-off yard waste programs.

QUICK TIPS

• Keep it loose in a container clearly marked “yard waste” or use compostable paper bags. Do not place material in plastic bags.
• No food, pet waste, dirt or rocks, sod, plastic pots, or any other non-organic material is accepted. 

WHERE CAN I COMPOST THESE ITEMS?

Most communities provide residential curbside collection of yard waste, and it can be dropped off at several participating local businesses.

Related Recycling Categories

Food Waste & Scraps Grass Clippings Leaves Paper Towels Twigs & Brush Weeds

Grass clippings feed your lawn! Grass clippings can return important nutrients back to your lawn. Learn More

Grass clippings can be composted at home or through curbside or drop-off yard waste programs.

QUICK TIPS

• Keep it loose in a container clearly marked “yard waste” or use compostable paper bags. Do not place material in plastic bags.
• No food, pet waste, dirt or rocks, sod, plastic pots, or any other non-organic material is accepted. 

WHERE CAN I COMPOST THESE ITEMS?

Most communities provide residential curbside collection of yard waste, and it can be dropped off at several participating local businesses.

Related Recycling Categories

Food Waste & Scraps Leaves Paper Towels Shrubs Twigs & Brush Weeds

Leaves feed your lawn! Mulching leaves with your mower can return important nutrients back to your lawn. Learn More

All leaves from trees, shrubs, and plants can be composted at home or through curbside or drop-off yard waste programs.

QUICK TIPS

• Keep it loose in a container clearly marked “yard waste” or use compostable paper bags. Do not place material in plastic bags.
• No food, pet waste, dirt or rocks, sod, plastic pots, or any other non-organic material is accepted. 

WHERE CAN I COMPOST THESE ITEMS?

Most communities provide residential curbside collection of yard waste, and it can be dropped off at several participating local businesses.

Related Recycling Categories

Food Waste & Scraps Grass Clippings Paper Towels Shrubs Twigs & Brush Weeds