Shredded Paper Other Recycling Pack Into a Clear Bag Shredded paper can slip through the paper separator if it is recycled, so pack it into a clear bag and tie shut. OK to Compost Shredded paper is compostable as long as it’s not colored or glossy. Ways to Reduce Shred Selectively It’s not always necessary to shred a document entirely. You really only need to shred the parts that contain private information. If protected info is removed and shredded, the rest of the document can be recycled. 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.