One common item that often raises questions about recycling is laminated paper.
Laminated paper is created by applying a thin layer of plastic to a sheet of paper, which provides added protection and durability.
While the lamination process can help preserve important materials for longer durations, it also adds complexity to recycling efforts.
Paper is a staple ingredient in our everyday lives. Even in this age of digitization, one cannot deny the importance of paper.
Despite its utility, paper can be recycled, which makes it an environmentally friendly material, but can we say the same about laminated paper?
In the upcoming paragraphs, we will discuss whether laminated paper can be recycled or not.
Is Laminated Paper Recyclable?
Recycling minimizes the amount of waste in our environment, which prevents pollution and ensures sustainable living.
Sadly, not every material is designed for recycling.
It is primarily due to the ingredients used to make those materials.
Most regrettably, laminated paper doesn’t fall within the category of recyclable items.
The lamination is what gets in the way of the recycling process. Lamination on paper is done using plastic.
Usually, paper products like paper bags are recycled using water that breaks down the paper. To break down plastic, heat is needed.
While it is possible to melt away the plastic lamination, the process may damage the paper.
While recycling laminated paper is impossible, we can limit the use of laminated paper. Instead of laminating your documents, you can always use a sheet protector or a plastic sleeve.
The paper can be removed from the plastic sleeve and have it recycled while reusing the plastic sleeve.
Also read: How to Dispose of Old Passports?
Environmental Impact of Laminated Paper
Coatings and laminates elongate the life of paper and the durability of printed materials. If you must use laminated paper, factor in the environmental impacts.
Laminated coatings come in three main types, i.e., UV coating, laminate film, and aqueous coating.
Let’s discuss all three types of lamination with their environmental impacts.
Laminate Film
Laminate film is the most common and traditional form of lamination used to protect paper against moisture, scratches, and tears.
This form of lamination is manufactured using petrochemicals and several other harmful chemicals.
These chemicals can have adverse effects on the environment.
Moreover, this material is non-biodegradable. As a result, it takes several years to break down fully and contributes to environmental pollution for a long time.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that a laminated film cannot be recycled once applied.
It is for the good of this planet that we discourage the use of laminate film on postcards and other types of mail.
However, if you are printing something for long-term usage, laminate film might be the best way to preserve it.
If you must laminate your paper, make sure to use recycled instead of fresh paper. By doing so, you will keep paper fibers in circulation.
A laminate film is still a good option when laminating packaging material, but it should be avoided due to its environmental impact.
The good news is that there are some alternatives to laminate film available in the marketplace.
Such laminate films are made of cellulose, special compound plastics, and polylactic acids.
All of these ingredients can break down the chemicals contained in plastic.
Aqueous Coating
Unlike a plastic laminate film, aqueous coating is a water-based lamination applied to paper.
It is also known as one of the most environmentally friendly lamination techniques. This form of coating is recyclable and biodegradable.
This coating is used on offset presses and doesn’t release any chemicals that harm the environment.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that of the three common types of lamination, aqueous coating is the only FDA-approved form of coating.
While the aqueous coating is eco-friendly, it isn’t free from limitations. Unlike UV coating, it doesn’t dry as hard.
On the bright side, it is flexible and doesn’t break or crack when folded.
However, it doesn’t have the same amount of protection as printed documents.
UV Coating
Last on the list is UV coating. This type of lamination is used in most commercial lamination processes.
As the name implies, UV lamination is applied to paper using UV light.
As a result, it improves the color and vibrancy of the design and text elements printed on the paper.
While a majority of UV coatings are free from VOC and plastics, they tend to release some harmful chemicals into the environment during the curing stage.
Remember, when using UV coating, make sure to use one that is 100% VOC-free.
Such chemicals are harmful to the environment, and they also contribute heavily to air pollution.
On the bright side, unlike a laminate film, UV coating is recyclable. Unlike uncoated materials and those with a water-based coating, they biodegrade slowly.
All in all, UV coating is the best water-resistant coating option if you need to protect your documents, as well as the environment.
Also read: 9 Best Ways to Dispose of Journals
Challenges in Recycling Laminated Paper
Let’s look at some big challenges that come in the way of recycling laminated paper.
Separating Layers
One of the main challenges when it comes to recycling laminated paper is the process of separating its layers.
The laminated paper consists of a paper layer, usually covered with a thin plastic film.
Due to the strong bond between these layers, recycling centers often struggle to separate them effectively.
Unfortunately, without proper separation, the paper cannot be recycled.
To aid in the recycling process, some manufacturers produce laminated paper using recyclable materials.
However, not all laminated products are created equal, and it’s essential to check whether a particular item can be accepted by recycling facilities.
Ink and Impurities
Another hurdle in recycling laminated paper is dealing with the ink and impurities found on the surface.
The ink can significantly hinder the pulping process and influence the quality of the recycled paper.
While it’s essential to remove these impurities, doing so can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.
Moreover, laminated paper products are often rejected by recycling facilities, as they can contaminate the paper recycling stream.
As a result, laminated paper might end up in landfills instead.
Also read: Can You Recycle Parchment Paper?
Recycling and Disposal Solutions for Laminated Paper
Recycling Centers
Recycling laminated paper can be a challenge, as it involves a mix of paper and plastic materials.
Many recycling facilities might not accept laminated paper as the process of separating the paper and plastic layers can be difficult and time-consuming.
However, it’s worth checking with your local recycling center to see if they accept this type of material.
If they do, they will likely have a specific process in place for recycling laminated paper and can provide instructions on how to prepare it for recycling.
TerraCycle
TerraCycle is a global company that specializes in recycling hard-to-recycle materials, such as laminated paper.
They offer different recycling programs and solutions, depending on the type of waste material you have.
To recycle laminated paper with TerraCycle, you can sign up and join existing recycling programs, or even start a new one if it doesn’t exist yet.
When you collect enough laminated paper materials, you can send them to TerraCycle, who will take care of recycling them into new products.
Also read: How to Dispose of Oily Paper Towels
Is Laminated Paper Compostable?
Unfortunately, laminated paper is not compostable, as the plastic layer in the lamination prevents it from breaking down naturally.
Trying to compost laminated paper might even harm your compost pile as the plastic will not break down and can contaminate the finished compost.
If you want to dispose of laminated paper in an eco-friendly way, consider the other options mentioned above: recycling centers or TerraCycle.
Also read: 10 Ways to Recycle Aluminum Foil
Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Lamination
While lamination degrades slowly, it has a lifespan.
After this duration, the coating starts to deteriorate, thus allowing water, dust, and moisture to creep into your documents.
Moreover, laminated coatings lose their aesthetic appeal with time. Let’s look at some eco-friendly alternatives to lamination.
Waterproof Paper
Instead of having your paper laminated, you can simply use waterproof paper. It is chemical-resistant and durable.
Moreover, waterproof paper is cheaper and doesn’t need to be replaced.
Furthermore, waterproofing maintains the aesthetic appeal of your paper, which isn’t the case with laminated paper.
Binding
A binding machine is a great tool for college students. Not only does binding make your paper appear fresh and beautiful, but it also makes paper documents last longer.
If you want to preserve your paper and give it a more professional look, binding is the way to go.
Synthetic Paper
Another great alternative to laminating paper is to use synthetic paper instead.
Synthetic paper is derived from polyester. It is most commonly used in printing machines and copiers.
Because it is similar to plastic, it doesn’t need any lamination or coating.
Moreover, synthetic paper is also tear-proof, which preserves the integrity of your paper for quite a while.
Report Covers
Due to frequent handling, paper materials tend to break down and fall apart. Furthermore, they can also be broken down due to liquid or moisture exposure.
Report covers can come in handy if you want to protect your documents and not harm the environment by using plastic laminates.
Besides protecting your paper, they make your documents appear more professional.
PVC Printing
PVC printing isn’t something new. We see it every day in governmental identity cards, as well as student IDs.
Such printing can also be easily spotted on gift cards and membership cards.
Instead of using plastic and harming the environment, you can use PVC, which is less harmful and makes your documents look good.
While PVC isn’t the most environmentally friendly material, it is less harmful than plastic, allowing us to minimize the amount of pollution in the environment.
Going Paperless
The use of paper has been around since the dawn of humanity, and it lives even to this day.
While looking for ways to laminate our documents, one thing we completely miss is the possibility of going paperless.
The idea of a world without any paper products is difficult to wrap our heads around, but it is possible. Using paper is bad for several reasons.
First of all, paper comes from the wood pulp of trees.
Large-scale deforestation is done to extract wood pulp, which harms our environment. Moreover, not every kind of paper is compostable or biodegradable.
Rather than using paper or looking for ways to coat it, we can use digital documents on computers and store them in a drive.
By doing so, we can go about our day-to-day activities effectively while contributing to the environment.
Silberboard
Silberboard is a water-resistant, metallic-looking material that can act as an alternative to laminating paper.
It provides a durable and attractive finish that can be used for various purposes, ranging from packaging to art projects.
By using Silberboard, the need for a plastic layer in the form of lamination is eliminated.
Metalized Vacuum Vaporization
Another alternative to lamination is metalized vacuum vaporization.
This process involves depositing a thin layer of metal onto the paper surface, making it water-resistant and durable.
Most importantly, it does not require the addition of a plastic layer.
- Environmentally friendly: The process does not involve any use of hazardous chemicals, and the end product is recyclable.
- Application: It can be used for packaging, artwork, and many other applications.
Recyclable Lamination
Recyclable laminations, such as those made from cellulose or polylactic acid (PLA), are biodegradable and offer a more sustainable option for protecting paper documents.
- Cellulose-based: The lamination film Cellogreen is made from the organic compound cellulose and is biodegradable and recyclable.
- PLA-based: Polylactic acid is a polyester derived from starch or sugar cane. However, the decomposition of PLA may take longer, depending on environmental conditions.
Besides the above alternatives, you can also explore using:
- Dry-erase boards: Instead of laminating a document for writing or drawing purposes, consider using a dry-erase board.
These boards are reusable and do not require any plastic layer to be added to the paper. - Sheet protectors: Sheet protectors are plastic sleeves used to enclose and protect documents.
As a temporary solution, they can be removed and reused for other papers, reducing the need for lamination.
Repurposing Laminated Papers
Laminated paper can be difficult to recycle, but you can get creative and give it a new life through repurposing and upcycling.
This not only helps you reuse materials, but also adds value by transforming them into something new and useful.
In this section, we will discuss some fun ways to upcycle laminated paper, focusing on household items and dry erase boards.
Household Items
Although laminated paper cannot be easily recycled, you can use it in a variety of ways to create practical household items.
Here are a few ideas of how to repurpose laminated paper:
- Table mats and placemats: Instead of buying new table mats, give old laminated paper a new life by turning them into stylish placemats. You can cut them into different shapes and sizes or add decorative elements to personalize your unique table setting.
- Fridge magnets: Cut out interesting shapes or designs from laminated papers and attach a piece of magnetic tape or strip. This way, you can create custom fridge magnets that can hold notes, reminders, or just serve as decoration.
- Drawer liners: Use laminated paper as a liner for drawers or shelves in your home. Not only does it help protect your belongings from dirt and dust, but you can also choose papers with interesting patterns to brighten up your personal spaces.
- Dry Erase Boards: Laminated paper’s smooth, glossy surface makes it an excellent material for creating dry-erase boards. These boards are perfect for writing reminders, leaving messages, and organizing your thoughts. Here’s how you can make one:
- Choose a piece of laminated paper with a design or pattern you like.
- Attach the laminated paper to a sturdy backing such as cardboard or an old picture frame.
- Use dry-erase markers to write or draw on the laminated surface.
- When you want to erase or update the content, use a tissue or a dry cloth to wipe it away and start again.
Remember, it’s important to think about how we can reuse and upcycle materials like laminated paper that are often difficult to recycle.
By repurposing them into practical household items and dry erase boards, we can give these materials a new life, minimize waste, and contribute to a more sustainable environment.
Also read: Is Glossy Paper Recyclable?
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some common questions people have about recycling laminated paper:
Can Shredded Laminated Paper Be Recycled?
Shredded laminated paper is generally not recyclable because the plastic used for lamination is not easily separated from the paper fibers.
This makes it difficult to recycle the material in a traditional recycling facility.
However, there are specialized companies like TerraCycle that have developed technologies to separate plastic from paper, allowing them to be recycled simultaneously.
What Are Some Alternatives to Laminating Paper?
Instead of laminating paper, consider other eco-friendly options such as:
- Using protective sleeves made from recyclable material
- Printing on durable, water-resistant paper
- Opting for digital versions of documents or presentations, which can be shared electronically
Are Biodegradable Laminating Pouches an Eco-Friendly Option?
Biodegradable laminating pouches are a more environmentally friendly choice compared to traditional laminating materials.
These pouches break down over time, reducing their impact on landfills and the environment.
However, it is essential to ensure that they are disposed of correctly and not mixed with regular recycling streams, as they can contaminate traditional recycling processes.
How Can I Properly Dispose of Laminated Paper?
Since most laminated paper cannot be recycled through conventional recycling programs, proper disposal usually involves placing it in the regular trash.
However, if you have access to a specialized recycling program or facility that can handle laminated paper, make sure to follow their guidelines to recycle these materials appropriately.
Is Laminated Material Biodegradable?
Laminated material is typically not biodegradable, as it is made up of layers of paper and plastic.
The plastic layer used in lamination does not decompose easily and can persist in the environment for a long time.
This is why it’s essential to consider alternative options such as biodegradable laminating pouches or other eco-friendly alternatives when possible.
Are There Recycling Programs for Laminated Items?
While conventional recycling programs might not accept laminated items, there are companies like TerraCycle that have developed methods to recycle laminated materials.
These specialized programs help to reduce waste and environmental impact by recycling laminated items that would otherwise end up in a landfill.
It’s important to research your local recycling options and always follow the guidelines provided by your recycling facility.
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