Construction Paper Recycling Cart Sometimes small bits of paper cannot be recycled because they get lost in the recycling process. In general, try to recycle everything receipt-sized or larger. Place shredded paper in a clear, plastic bag before putting it in your recycling cart. No Glitter & Glue A piece of construction paper that’s covered with lots of glitter, glue, and/or paint contains too many contaminants to go through the paper recycling process. Ways to Reuse Use Shredded Paper as Packing Material Shipping out something fragile? Reuse your shredded paper as packing material to protect items during shipping. Did You Know? Why Shredded Paper Can Be Hard to Recycle Shredding a piece of paper shortens its fibers, which reduces its value. Shredded paper is almost too small to be useful to recyclers. It’s possible for shredded paper to contaminate the recycling process by slipping past the paper-making screens.