Is Greaseproof Paper Recyclable? The Facts You Should Know

Greaseproof paper is commonly used in household kitchens, but now it can also be used in commercial areas for wrapping food. But with the passage of time, business owners and consumers are becoming very conscious about the wastage of the material. The most important question arises: “Is greaseproof paper recyclable? 

The answer to the question is not always yes. Recycling of greaseproof paper depends on the material that is used in the manufacturing of greaseproof paper, whether it has a coating or grease, how much time is available, and what facilities are available in your area.

Almost every day, greaseproof paper is not thrown in the standard paper recycling bin. Maybe some specific manufacturers think about the best end-of-life for greaseproof paper. 

This guide will help you to understand what greaseproof paper is and why it’s difficult to recycle greaseproof paper.  

What Is Greaseproof Paper?

Greaseproof paper is a type of paper that is used to control the food’s oil from soaking through the packaging with its oil-resistant properties. For food businesses, greaseproof paper is not ordinary paper. It’s used to make your food look representative. This oil-resistant paper is becoming a go-to packaging option. This is not just paper for serving food to customers. Now it’s a tool for branding your business by manufacturing the grease paper with your brand’s logo or your brand theme. This greaseproof paper is mostly used for

• Wrapping sandwiches
• Bakery item packagings
• Food baskets and trays
• Lining the trays for baking
• Separating greasy and oily food

Greaseproof papers that are made with wood pulp are oil resistant that helps to leaking the oil and sauce throughout the packaging.

Is Greaseproof Paper Recyclable? 

Normal greaseproof paper is not recyclable; that’s why it’s thrown in the general waste bin. Normal paper may be recyclable with the help of different recycling processes, but greaseproof paper and other baking paper (parchment paper) are treated differently to resist oil and heat.

The two main reasons why greaseproof paper is not recyclable

• Most greaseproof papers are coat with thin layers of wax and silicone; because of this coating, the greaseproof paper barrier is not separate from the paper fibre during the process of recycling in a normal recycling facility. This is the main reason for not recycling greaseproof paper.
• If the paper is uncoat but has grease or oil, the paper pulp is already destroy, which can be a cause of not recycling it to avoid contamination of clean paper loads.

What About Cleaning The Greaseproof Paper

Cleaning greaseproof paper does not make it recyclable itself. Even if you wipe out the oil or food. Here are 2 main reasons that the paper cannot be process by itself in standard recycling facilities

The wax coating or silicone remains.

Most baking papers or greaseproof paper are manufacture with a thin layer of wax coating or silicone permanently. If you wash the greaseproof paper, it can wash the food oil from the paper, but it cannot remove the wax coating. During the process of recycling, it cannot dissolve in water and may ruin the batch of recycled paper material.

Water damages the paper fibres. 

Attempting to wash the greaseproof paper with soap and water can destroy the paper fibres. Normal paper only recycles if its fibres remain strong. Soaking the greaseproof paper weakens the paper fibres, which can be useless for standard recycling pulp machines. 

Why Is Greaseproof Paper Difficult To Recycle?

Ordinary wrapping paper is straightforward to recycle because it is manufactured with water and the pulp of wood but on the other side the prease proof paper is made with a chemical process to make it oil-resistant and to use it during the making; due to chemical wax coatings, it’s difficult to recycle.Below are some reasons why it is difficult to recycle greaseproof paper.

Separating the chemical coating 

As you know, greaseproof paper is pass through different processes of coating with wax, silicone and polythene to make them non sticky and fire-resistant. This is one of the main reasons it is difficult during the process of recycling. The wax and silicone do not dissolve in water. They pass through the screening system, cling to the fibre and destroy the entire batch of recycled paper by creating spots and holes.

Application of severe oil and grease

Even if the paper is uncoat with chemicals, it’s commonly use for wrapping oily food and for baking purposes. When the oily paper is put into the recycling vat, the oil in the paper floats to the top of the paper and makes the paper slurry. The oil permanently sticks to the paper fibres, making them non-stick; this makes it impossible to clean.

Is Greaseproof Paper Bad For The Environment? 

Greaseproof paper has a mix of environmental footprints. It’s better than petroleum-based plastic. Its environmental impact is set by where it comes from and where it ends up. Not by labels

The good side: it can be eco-friendly

Greaseproof paper is fundamentally make from wood pulp. When it’s officially certify by FSC and PEF.It means the wood is grown in a manage and sustainable forest. This means wrapping the food in greaseproof paper is better than wrapping the food in plastic sheets or aluminium foil.

The negative side: why it can be harmful for the environment

As a good side of greaseproof paper, there is also a harmful side that makes it bad for the environment. Most standard baking sheets and greaseproof paper are coat with a thin layer of wax and absorb oil while baking and wrapping food, which is not recyclable, and they go straight to the trash.

 According to landfill data, such as the US EPA, removing these reusable fibres from the recycling loop creates a continuous supply of fresh timber for recycling. 

How To Dispose Of Greaseproof Paper Correctly

You must separate it by specific types and how it is use to dispose of greaseproof paper correctly. Because most households just throw it away improperly, that ruins batches of recycling. These are some ways to dispose of greaseproof paper correctly.

General waste bin

To dispose of greaseproof paper, it is throw in the general waste bin. You should throw it here if it is use and contains food oils, butter or any grease, or if it is clean and unuse; you should throw it in a general waste bin because of the coating of wax. It cannot be recycle by standard recycling mills.

Home compost pile

You can compost the greaseproof paper if it’s labell as 100% uncoated and home compostable. It done by chopping the food paper into small pieces to help it break down quickly and then mixing them into your home compost heap. You should have to avoid putting the glossy and silicone-coated sheets into the heap. Because the plastic and silicone will not break down and will leave microplastics in your soil.

Alternatives To Grease Paper For A Better End Of Life 

To give your kitchen a better end-of-life cycle. You just need to know some alternatives that can be multi-use or composted easily.

Reusable silicone mats for baking 

After using the greaseproof paper you have to throw them after baking but these silicone mats are reusable multiple times after just washing them. These mats are highly durable and reusable for about 3000 times. These are best for baking cookies and roasting vegetables.

Aluminium foils

The Aluminium foil is the best option as an alternative to greaseproof paper if your main goal is utilising your recycling bin. Aluminium foil can be recycle multiple times. Wash it and roll it into small balls about the size of small balls before putting them into the recycling bin.

Conclusion

Greaseproof paper is a popular choice for wrapping food or baking because of its oil-resistant properties. It’s beneficial for baking purposes; on the other hand, it’s not recyclable, and you have to waste this paper because of the coating of wax.

You can order customized greaseproof papers and alternatives to grease paper from Waxpaper Canada in premium quality with affordable prices. Custom greaseproof paper is now becoming a popular choice for businesses to enhance their packaging and make their brand more visible by printing their logo and slogans on greaseproof paper. So go to our paper library and order sheets according to your needs.