Are Post It Notes Recyclable?

May 17, 2022

A sticky note isn’t like a journal or a photo album. You don’t hold onto it for years and look back at it in the future. Rather, it’s a piece of paper that’s designed for one-time use and temporary notes. So what do you do with your Post-its when you’re done with them? To start, resist the urge to crumple them up and throw them on the floor. There are plenty of eco alternatives that are much better for Mother Earth!

Are Sticky Notes Bad for the Environment?

Sticky notes are made from paper, which you already know should never be thrown in the trash. Paper is bad for the environment because when it rots, methane is emitted – a type of greenhouse gas that harms the air we breathe.

Unfortunately, that hasn’t stopped people from tossing sticky notes and other paper in the garbage. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 18.4 million tons of paper ended up in landfills in 2017. This is despite the fact that most types of paper, including white office paper, newspapers, magazines, and catalogs, can be thrown in curbside recycling.

We owe it to ourselves and the planet to make a more conscientious effort to recycle paper in the future.

Can Post It Notes Be Recycled?

According to 3M, you can recycle Post-it Notes the same way you’d recycle any other type of paper. However, some waste collectors don’t accept them because of the fluorescent color or adhesive on the back. This varies from area to area, so be sure to ask your local recycler if they accept “mixed paper.”

Do you want to do your part? Encourage your office to start recycling if they don’t already. Close to 90% of the waste in a typical office can be recycled, which means your team can contribute to a greener planet!

What Can I Do With Extra Sticky Notes?

It’s always better to repurpose or upcycle rather than throwing items in the recycling bin. Thankfully, there are plenty of creative ways you can reuse extra or scribbled on sticky notes!