Books and Paper Fiber

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Accepted item list​
Non-accepted items list​​
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​​​​​General Guidelines​

eWorks sends paper it collects at the recycling centers and at events directly to a paper recycler, which allows it to take certain paper items that should not go in a curbside recycling cart for automated sorting at a recycling facility. This also means that all paper through this program is destroyed. If you have newer/good quality books, please consider selling or donating them instead - see this page for ideas!

​Please note that paper brought to the recycling centers is not shredded by eWorks or by Kane County. While the paper is destroyed during the recycling process, we cannot guarantee the confidentiality of any printed material brought to the centers. Residents should consider bringing sensitive documents to a Kane County shredding event (or shred at home and bring the shreds to us). 

Generally, all paper brought to us must be clean (no food residue, grease or non-paper materials mixed in) and dry/never wet. We cannot accept paper with mold or other signs of past water damage. Large pieces of plastic, metal, etc. and certain types of bindings should be removed. See below for details.

​Accepted Items

​With the above guidance in mind, here's an alphabetized list of paper fiber items that are accepted by the Kane County Recycle Program at Recycling Centers and/or events ​for free. If you have questions about item acceptance, call 630-208-3841 or email recycle@kanecountyil.gov​ for assistance.

• Board books/children's​ books - no lights or sounds
  

• ​​​​Books - softcover, hardcover, no comb or spiral bindings; NOTE - newer books in good condition are best sold or donated elsewhere for re-use. See options here.
  

• Brochures

• Business cards

• Business paper, general

• Catalogues

• Craft/Construction paper

• Envelopes

• File folders - metal hangers must be removed
  

• Fliers

• Greeting cards - no lights, sounds, glitter, non-paper appliques
  

• Junk mail - see here for guidance on how to stop it
  

• Kraft paper

• Magazines

• Mail, general

• Manila folders

• Newspaper/newsprint

• Notebooks - spiral bindings must be removed
  

• Note pads

• Office paper, general

• Packaging paper ​- must be flattened/folded
  

• Paper bags/gift bags ​- remove non-paper handles
  

• Pocket folders - paper, not plastic
  

• Post cards

• Post-it notes - either stick small ones to larger bits of paper or package like shredded paper, below
  

• School paper, general

• Sketchbooks ​- spiral bindings must be removed
  

• Shredded paper - put shredded documents and other paper items smaller than a business card (clothes tags, small post-its, etc.) in a paper bag and seal closed (staple or tape). Grocery size or yard waste size bags accepted.
  

• Stationary, general
  

• Wrapping paper - must be folded/flattened, no glitter or foil
  

Non-Accepted Items

We cannot accept the following items:

• Carbon paper - does not recycle properly
  

• Cash register receipts/thermal paper - does not recycle properly
  

• Coated papers - art and other specialty paper with thick coatings cannot be recycled
  

• Comb-bound books ​- plastic comb bindings are a contaminant
  

• Corrugated cardboard boxes ​- flattened boxes accepted at Fabyan only, not at West Dundee or any events.
  

• Napkins

• Neon paper - large quantities/whole packs; a few pieces is fine
  

• Paper towels

• Parchment paper (baking) - too much coating to recycle properly
  

• Photographs/Photo paper

• Spiral bound books - metal spirals tangle in recycling equipment
  

• ​Three ring binders​
  

• Wallpaper

• Waxed paper