Can you compost paper towels?

When it can work

Plain paper towels are made of plant fiber, and many composting programs accept them in small amounts when they are used for food or water. They break down more slowly if they are in large wads, so tear them up before adding them to a home bin. Keep the pile mixed with other material rather than adding a thick layer of paper at once.

If you are not sure, a small test is easier than a mistake: add a few torn pieces, and see how your bin handles them before making it a habit.

Check the official list for your program. Some commercial services accept paper products and others do not.

When to leave them out

When in doubt, put it in the trash. Contamination can cause a whole load to be rejected.

• Towels used with chemical cleaners, solvents or disinfectants.
• Towels soaked in oil or grease from non-food sources.
• Towels printed with heavy dyes or coated in plastic.
• Towels used to clean up anything your program excludes, such as pet waste.

Why not recycle them

Used paper towels are generally not accepted in paper recycling because they are soiled and the fibers are short. The EPA says recycling rules are set locally, so confirm with your city or hauler.

Paper towel labels

A recycled-content claim describes how the towel was made. An FSC or similar forest certification describes how the fiber was sourced. Neither one tells you whether your compost program accepts the towel after use, and the FTC Green Guides expect compostable claims to be qualified when a commercial facility is needed.

Fewer towels to dispose of

Reusable cloths cover many spills and wipe-downs, and you can launder them with the regular wash. Our reusable versus paper towel comparison walks through the cost over a year, and the paper towel guide covers the picks if you prefer to keep some in the house.

Sources

• US EPA guidance on checking local recycling rules
• FTC Green Guides (16 CFR Part 260)
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification information