As a loyal composting customer, I’ve been trying to figure out what to stick in my bin.

Beyond fruit & veggie scraps, I throw in my egg shells, dryer lint & occasional Pounce DeLeon fur that’s stuck on my couch. (Doesn’t Casa De Green Philly Blog sound lovely?!) However, I know that paper & cardboard is compostable AND recyclable. So what do I do?

Should you recycle or compost paper in Philadelphia?

If you have an old presentation off the printer or paper flyers, you should toss them in the recycle bin first and foremost.

“If they accept it at a recycling facility, there’s generally a secondary market for it, which gives it a second life,” according to Bennett Compost founder, Tim Bennett.

So although composting facilities like Bennett will compost the paper, you’re helping harvest less trees by recycling it first. They do recommend to line your bin with paper bags (composting AND cleaner bins yo’).

You heard it from the expert: Recycle first & compost second where possible! Plus, you’ll be filling your compost bin with alllll those healthy food scraps this holiday season. Right?!

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Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia. View all posts by Julie Hancher