Paper towels are a staple in many households for quickly cleaning up spills and messes. But with increasing awareness around sustainability and reducing waste, many people wonder if paper towels can be composted rather than sent to the landfill.
The short answer is yes, paper towels are compostable under certain conditions. When free of contaminants like grease, oils, and harsh chemicals, paper towels can break down in a compost pile or industrial composting facility.
What Are Paper Towels Made Of?
To understand if paper towels can be composted, it helps to first look at what they’re made from.
The basic raw material for most paper towels is wood pulp from trees. Softwood trees like fir, pine, and spruce produce long, smooth fibers ideal for processing into absorbent paper.
The wood is chopped, soaked, and churned into pulp. After cleaning and sometimes bleaching, the pulp is then pressed into thin paper sheets.
To make paper towels, two or more layers of this paper are pressed together. This creates the soft, absorbent texture paper towels are known for.
Some paper towels also incorporate recycled paper content. This recycled pulp comes from waste paper products like old newspapers, magazines, and office paper.
Factors That Affect Whether Paper Towels Are Compostable
While paper towels are made from organic materials like wood and plant fibers, there are some factors that determine if they can be composted or not.
Bleaching
Many paper towels are bleached during production to whiten them. Bleached paper towels are still compostable, though bleaching does add unnecessary chemicals.
Common bleaching agents include:
- Chlorine dioxide: Lowest environmental impact but can form dioxins.
- Oxygen/hydrogen peroxide: Eco-friendlier than chlorine.
- Totally chlorine-free (TCF) methods: Use ozone, oxygen, and peroxide instead of chlorine.
Opt for unbleached or TCF paper towels when possible. But rest assured bleached towels will break down fine in compost, as the small amounts of bleach don’t accumulate or harm soil.
Added Chemicals
Some paper towels have extra chemicals added, like:
- Fragrances
- Lotion for softness
- Antibacterial agents like triclosan
Towels with these coatings or additives should not be composted as the chemicals can damage soil health and compost microbes. Stick to plain paper towels without unnecessary additives.
Recycled vs Virgin Fibers
Recycled paper towels are ideal for composting as they divert waste from landfills. The recycled pulp contains shorter fibers, so recycled paper towels may be a bit less durable than virgin pulp towels. But they work great in compost.
Virgin pulp towels made from tree wood can be composted as well. Just opt for sustainable forestry-certified sources like FSC to ensure responsible paper production.
Use of Paper Towels
The biggest factor in whether used paper towels can be composted is what you used them to clean up.
Can You Compost Clean, Unused Paper Towels?
Clean, unused paper towels are always safe to compost.
Since they contain no contamination, composting unused paper towels simply adds beneficial “browns” like carbon and fiber to your compost pile.
To speed up decomposition, consider tearing them into smaller pieces before adding to your compost bin.
Composting unused paper towels is better than trashing them, as all those unrecyclable paper towels add up in landfills.
So feel free to toss that last remaining roll or paper towels pulled out unnecessarily into your compost.
Can You Compost Used Paper Towels?
Used paper towels are compostable in many cases, but not all. It depends on what materials or substances were used to clean up.
Used Towels With Food, Dirt, Plants
Paper towels used to wipe up:
- Food spills
- Countertop dirt
- Dusting plant leaves
- Hand washing
- Other plant-based messes
…are safe to compost. Food particles, plant matter, and dirt provide beneficial nitrogen and micronutrients to your compost.
The key is that these organic materials can all decompose along with the paper towel.
Used Towels With Natural Cleaners
Used paper towels soaked with natural cleaning solutions based on:
- Water
- Vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Castile soap
- Baking soda
…are also compostable, as these substances will break down over time.
Avoid composting any towels used with harsh chemical cleaners, even if labeled “natural,” as residue could damage soil microbes.
Used Towels With Grease, Oils, Animal Products
Paper towels used to clean up:
- Greasy foods
- Meat and fat drippings
- Dairy products
- Cooking oil
- Butter and margarine
…are not suitable for composting.
Oils and fats coat compost materials and prevent proper decomposition. Meat and dairy also decompose very slowly and attract pests.
While municipal compost facilities can handle these, avoid composting greasy or meat-soiled towels at home.
Used Towels With Pet Waste
Never compost paper towels used to clean up pet urine or feces. The pathogen risks are too high for safe composting.
Used Towels – When In Doubt, Leave It Out!
When uncertain about used paper towels, err on the side of caution and leave it out of your home compost pile. Industrial composting facilities are better equipped to handle a wider range of contaminants and decompose them safely.
Composting Paper Towels at Home
Composting paper towels at home is easy if you follow some key steps:
1. Select Compostable Towels
Start with plain paper towels, free of chemical additives and preferably recycled or unbleached. Used towels should not have grease or harsh cleaners.
2. Tear or Shred Into Small Pieces
Breaking down paper towels into smaller bits provides more surface area for compost microbes to work.
3. Mix In Evenly With Other Compost Materials
Scatter shredded paper towel pieces throughout your compost bin. Avoid thick clumps, which can restrict airflow.
4. Maintain Proper Moisture
Paper towels absorb moisture, so monitor your compost pile’s dampness. Add water or “green” materials like fruit scraps if the pile is too dry.
5. Turn and Aerate the Pile
Turning or stirring the compost once a week prevents compacting and allows proper airflow. This accelerates decomposition.
In as little as 2-6 weeks, you should see paper towels broken down fully in an active compost pile!
Key Takeaway: When free of chemical additives and contamination, most paper towels can be composted at home by shredding and evenly mixing into your compost bin. Monitor moisture and turn the pile weekly.
Municipal Composting of Paper Towels
Many cities now offer municipal compost pickup for food and yard waste. This lets residents compost waste more easily, even in apartments without yard space for compost bins.
Most municipal compost programs accept used paper towels, as long as they pass the basic guidelines for home composting:
- Free of oils, fats, grease, and meat products
- No chemical coatings or antimicrobials
- No pet waste
Always check your city’s rules on accepted materials. But municipal composting is a convenient, eco-friendly option for recycling paper towels from your home.
Are Paper Towels Biodegradable?
Biodegradation refers to natural breakdown of materials by microbes and other living organisms. Since paper towels are made from plant materials like wood fiber and cotton, they are biodegradable.
Specifically, paper towels are biodegradable through composting. The cellulose and other natural compounds get broken down by composting microorganisms into basic organic matter to enrich soil.
Just avoid biodegrading any paper towels with chemical additives, grease, or other contaminants that might harm the decomposing organisms.
Greener Alternatives to Reduce Paper Towel Waste
While composting can recycle used paper towels, reducing usage in the first place is an even more eco-friendly goal. Here are some ways to cut down on paper towel waste:
- Use reusable towels and rags for cleaning up most spills and messes
- Switch to reusable bamboo paper towels that can be washed and reused
- Install hand dryers in bathrooms rather than paper towels
- Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins
- Allow dishes to air dry rather than drying with paper towels
With some simple reusable swaps, you can feel good about sticking an occasional paper towel straight into the compost.
FAQs
Are bleached paper towels compostable?
Yes, bleached paper towels are still compostable, though bleaching agents like chlorine dioxide can have environmental impacts. Opt for unbleached towels when possible. But rest assured any bleach residue will break down fine in a compost pile.
Can you compost Viva or Bounty brand paper towels?
Major paper towel brands like Bounty and Viva are made from wood pulp and/or recycled paper content, meaning they are compostable. Just avoid composting any used towels with non-compostable contamination. Also opt for their unbleached product lines when you can.
Are bamboo paper towels compostable?
Bamboo paper towels, made from fast-growing bamboo fibers, are absolutely compostable. Bamboo towels are very sustainable and naturally free of chlorine or other harsh bleaching chemicals. Composting bamboo paper towels is an eco-friendly choice.
Can you compost paper towels soaked in natural cleaners?
Yes, paper towels used with natural cleaners like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or liquid castile soap can be safely composted at home or through municipal collection. Avoid composting any towels used with harsh chemical cleaners.
Can you put paper towels in a worm composting bin?
Plain shredded paper towels are fine to add in moderation to worm compost bins. But avoid adding any used towels with food scraps, oils, or chemicals. Worms are highly sensitive, so stick to plain, dry paper towels for vermicomposting systems.
Conclusion
With proper precautions, most paper towels can be composted, providing a sustainable alternative to sending them to the landfill. Simple steps like selecting safe, compostable towel types, shredding, and careful mixing will allow paper towels to return nutrients back to the earth.
Composting facilities can handle a wider array of used paper towels than home compost piles. But residents can divert significant waste from landfills by composting paper towels at home as well.
Coupled with reusable alternatives to reduce paper towel dependence, composting offers an earth-conscious solution for recycling these ubiquitous household items. Through composting paper towels, we can make meaningful progress toward more sustainable living.
