Alexei Volkov
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with plastic products polluting the environment and posing potential health risks to living organisms. Scientists have discovered evidence of plastic fragments in human tissue samples, raising concerns about the impact of plastic on human health. Tissue paper, on the other hand, is made from organic materials such as paper pulp or wood fibres, and is biodegradable and compostable. However, the recycling process for tissue paper can be challenging due to the specific equipment required and the low demand for recycled tissue paper. While tissue paper itself is plastic-free, plastic packaging or additives can hinder its biodegradability and compostability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclable | Yes, but not easy to recycle and many recycling centers refuse to take it |
| Biodegradable | Yes |
| Compostable | Yes |
| Raw Material | Wood |
| Source of Raw Material | Sustainable forests |
| Manufacturing Waste | None sent to landfill |
| Carbon Emissions | Reduced by 31.5% since 2005 |
| Packaging | Recyclable cardboard |
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What You'll Learn
Tissue paper is recyclable
The recyclability of tissue paper also depends on how it was used. Dirty tissues smeared with food, grease, dirt, or bodily fluids should be disposed of in the trash instead of the recycling bin, as they can ruin an entire batch of recyclables. Tissue paper can be composted both in compost facilities and at home, as it absorbs excess moisture from bioplastics and food waste, increasing its composting or disintegration rate.
There are many different types of tissue paper, and they are all produced from different materials. Therefore, the raw materials play an important role in the degradation process. If the tissue paper is covered with other materials, especially plastic, it might not biodegrade.
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Tissue paper is compostable
Tissue paper is produced from paper pulp, which is obtained from wood. As these are organic products, tissue paper is biodegradable and can be broken down by degradation agents such as bacteria and microorganisms. This means that tissue paper is also compostable. It can be composted both in compost facilities and at home. Tissue paper absorbs the excess moisture that bioplastics and food waste generate, which increases its composting process or disintegration rate.
However, it is important to note that not all tissues are 100% paper. Some tissue papers are covered with other materials, such as plastic, which would prevent them from biodegrading. The chemicals in the plastic repel the microorganisms that would have broken down the tissue paper. Therefore, tissues containing plastic need to be put in the garbage instead of a compost bin.
In general, it is recommended to avoid composting tissues that have been used to collect bodily fluids or waste, such as snot or saliva. These bodily fluids may contain viruses or bacteria that can live outside the human body for extended periods and potentially harm plants in your garden. However, some people choose to compost their boogery tissues, especially if their compost is mostly cold and does not reach pathogen-killing temperatures.
To compost used tissues more effectively, you can use a bokashi composter. The fermentation process in a bokashi bucket produces an acidic environment that kills harmful pathogens. To do this, collect your used tissues in a sealed container and add them to your bokashi kitchen composter along with food scraps at the end of the day. Remember to slightly increase the amount of bokashi compost accelerator (bokashi bran) to compensate for the increased volume of organic material.
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Tissue paper is biodegradable
However, the process of degradation of tissue paper varies. There are different types of tissue paper, and they are all produced from different materials. Therefore, the raw materials play an important role in the degradation process. Tissue paper that is covered with other materials might not biodegrade, especially if it is not made from organic products. For example, if you have tissue paper wrapped in plastic, it will not degrade because of the plastic. The chemicals in the plastic repel the microorganisms that would have broken down the tissue paper.
Tissue paper is also compostable. It can be composted in industrial compost facilities and at home, as long as it is free of foil, glitter, and other decorative elements. Tissue paper can be a healthy addition to a compost pile because it absorbs excess moisture from food waste and bioplastics.
Tissue paper is also recyclable like all paper. However, it is not typically recycled due to challenges like contamination and short fibres. Tissue paper is a low-grade material, and not every recycling centre has the machinery or setup to handle it.
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Tissue boxes are made from cardboard
Tissue boxes, on the other hand, are made from cardboard, which is also recyclable and biodegradable. Cardboard tissue boxes can be crafted at home, with some simple materials and tools. For instance, one can create a tissue box in the shape of a house, using cardboard, scissors or a knife, a pen, a ruler, and a hot glue gun or regular glue.
Cardboard tissue boxes can also be purchased from various retailers, such as Addison Ross Ltd, which offers lacquered tissue boxes to cover cardboard tissue containers. These boxes come in square or rectangular shapes and can be customized with photos.
Overall, tissue boxes made from cardboard provide an environmentally friendly option, as cardboard is recyclable and biodegradable, contributing to sustainable practices.
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Tissue paper is not easy to recycle
Tissue paper is often very thin and has a low-grade paper structure, which means it doesn't have a lot of good-quality fibres. This makes it difficult to recycle, as the fibres are too short to be used to create a new paper product. The fibres in tissue paper are shorter than those in other types of paper, which means that they degrade more quickly and are less likely to be accepted by recycling centres.
Tissue paper is also often laminated, dyed, or coated with a glossy, reflective material that contains plastic or aluminium. These coatings make tissue paper unrecyclable, as they cannot be separated from the paper fibres. Therefore, it is important to check if your tissue paper has any such coatings before attempting to recycle it. If it does, it will need to be sent to a landfill instead.
Even if your tissue paper is free from coatings, it may still be difficult to recycle due to the presence of contaminants. Tissue paper is often used for cleaning and can become loaded with oils, makeup, creams, and other substances that cannot be easily removed from the paper fibres. These contaminants can make tissue paper unrecyclable, as they cannot be separated or neutralised during the recycling process.
While tissue paper is technically recyclable, it is not always accepted by recycling centres due to its low-quality fibres and potential contaminants. It is important to check with your local recycling centre to see if they accept tissue paper for recycling. If not, there are other ways to dispose of tissue paper sustainably, such as composting.
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Frequently asked questions
Tissue paper is biodegradable and compostable. It is produced from paper pulp, which is gotten from wood. However, if tissue paper is covered with other materials, it might not biodegrade, especially if it is not made from organic products. Tissue paper with plastic tapes or glitter attached cannot be composted.
Tissue paper is recyclable, but it is not easy to recycle. Tissue paper requires specific equipment that most paper recyclers do not have, which is why many professional facilities have stopped accepting it. Tissue paper is also made from recycled materials most of the time, so it quickly approaches the point of not being able to be recycled any further.
The best ways to dispose of tissue paper are recycling, composting at home or in compost facilities, and throwing it away with your usual kerbside collection waste.
Tissue boxes, such as Kleenex®, used to have a plastic opening, but the company has removed it. The boxes are now made from recycled cardboard and are fully recyclable.
