Wax paper, also referred to as baking paper or parchment paper, is paper that has been coated with wax on both sides. There are lots of uses for it in the kitchen but can also be found as packaging for takeaway food. The question your might be wondering is wax paper recyclable?
What is Wax Paper?
Wax paper is a thin sheet of paper coated with wax or other materials that are applied to the surface. The raw materials for wax paper are wood pulp and a liquid. The liquid may be water, oil, or a mixture of the two.
The waxed surface prevents food from sticking to it and also makes it moisture-resistant which is pretty handy in the kitchen. This coated wax paper has many uses in the home, such as lining cake pans, baking, protecting pans, and aiding in cleanup or separating food in the freezer.
What Kinds of Wax Are Used in Coated Wax Paper?
Although all kinds of wax papers may appear the same they can be made in several different ways. Beeswax was historically used and is still used in some products today. The more common coating these days is a vegetable paraffin wax, a petroleum oil wax, or soybean oil wax. Some commercial waxed paper, like those that are used for fast food, is actually coated with polyethylene (PE) plastic.
Overall, today’s wax paper is most commonly made from paraffin. However, there are many wax papers now that use soybean wax instead of paraffin, which is a more environmentally friendly version given paraffin is made from petroleum. Parchment paper, or baking paper, the type you can use in your oven, is made with a coating of silicone to give it heat-resistant qualities.
What’s the Difference Between Parchment Paper/Baking Paper and Wax Paper?
Both parchment paper and wax paper can be used in the kitchen. However, they have some different properties and it’s important to understand the difference. Parchment paper or baking paper has been treated for use in ovens and at high temperatures where wax paper although similar, has not had this treatment and therefore should not be used in the oven. The wax can melt or possibly even catch fire if used in the oven.
Does Wax Paper Contain Plastic?
Parchment paper is coated with Silicon which is actually a type of plastic. It is classed as a type of plastic because the definition of a plastic is a material with certain qualities. Silicone has these qualities like being flexible, malleable, resistant to temperature and water, and being able to be molded and shaped. Fortunately, silicone is not petroleum-based like most of the plastics you would be familiar with. It is created from silica and is perhaps closer to rubber than a plastic.
Want to learn more about what plastic is? Head over to our article on What is Plastic? A simple explanation.
Can you Recycle Wax Paper or Parchment Paper?
Is wax paper recyclable? No, wax or parchment paper cannot be recycled.
It is difficult to recycle because it is coated with wax, plastic, or silicone. It is impossible to separate the waxes and coatings from the paper fibers in the recycling process.
It is best to throw the wax paper into your garbage bin but not before you reuse it as many times as possible.
Is Waxed Paper Compostable?
Waxed paper can be compostable but first, you must confirm the type of wax used to be sure it will not be harmful to your plants. If the paper is coated in soybean or other vegetable waxes it may be safe to put into your compost bin but can be difficult for the microbes to break down. Paper that has been coated with petroleum-based paraffin and other plastics or silicones should not go in your compost. If the paper has been bleached or treated with other chemicals this is also not suitable for composting.
Ways to Reduce How Much Wax Paper You Use?
Since wax paper is not recyclable here are some simple ways to reduce and reuse when it comes to wax paper:
- Use only what you need. Try to be conservative when you tear some off or measure up what you need first.
- If you use parchment paper for baking then you can possibly dust it off and save it for the next batch.
- Find alternatives to cooking with paper such as a reusable silicone baking mat.
- Avoid take away foods that come wrapped in wax paper.
Wax Paper vs. Aluminum Foil
Wax Paper is a less expensive option in comparison to Aluminum foil. Plus it can be used for both cooking and baking whereas aluminum foil is not as handy for baking and can react with acidic foods and other metals in the kitchen.
In regards to recycling aluminum foil comes out on top. Aluminum foil is made from metal and can be recycled over and over again. Check out our article on recycling aluminum foil here. You simply roll it into a ball until it is as big as a baseball and throw it in your curbside recycling bin.
However, the impacts of mining and processing aluminum might just tip the outcome in favor of baking or wax paper. Even better however is to look into some eco-friendly alternatives and stop using wax paper altogether.
The Wrap
So if you are wondering is wax paper recyclable? The answer is no, it’s not.
Wax paper is a thin sheet of paper coated with paraffin wax, petroleum oil wax, or soybean oil wax. This coating is very difficult to separate from the paper make it impossible to recycle. Your best option is to reduce the amount you use and look for other alternatives. You can try replacing some with aluminum foil as that can be recycled or use a reusable silicone baking mat, saving you money and reducing your waste.
Are other types of Paper recyclable?
Want to know why recycling paper is good for the environment? Check out our other recycling guides:
- shredded paper
- receipts
- photos
- glossy magazines
- cardboard
