Is Wax Paper Recyclable Or Compostable?
November 11, 2024 Explore Blogs
We all have observed the deteriorating condition of the global climate. Every year the temperature extremes increase, that is why, now people are very concerned about the practices and prefer products that can be recycled, reused, or composite. One such item is custom wax paper, one of the kitchens’ essential components. But due to the wax coating, many wonder “Is wax paper recyclable or compostable?”
With the wax coatings, the paper can withstand moisture, oil, and stickiness of foods without tearing. Based on the nature of the coatings applied on the paper it has several types and each type has a different composting ability. In this blog, we will discuss compostable wax-coated paper and the factors that help in accelerating composting.
Is Recycling Possible?
The common question that most people ask about coated paper is “Can you recycle wax paper?”. By understanding the type of coating applied to the paper we can determine whether it can be composted or not. The base paper, i.e. kraft paper, is easy to compost and takes only days, however, when wax-coating is applied then the process of decomposition becomes difficult.
Compostable VS Non-Compostable Types Coatings
There are two major types of waxpapers, one is compostable form and the other one is a non-compostable option. If you are getting paper coated with waxes obtained from natural products such as soybeans, beeswax, etc. then you can easily compost the paper. On the other hand, if you have obtained the coating from synthetic products such as the by-products of petroleum then composting is not possible. So the answer to the question “Is wax paper recyclable or not” simply depends on the type of coating. The compostable options are:
Soy Wax-Coated Paper
This paper is coated with wax derived from soybeans. This is biodegradable and breaks down easily. However, one necessary thing is the availability of a compostable environment. If you maintain the ideal condition of composting then you can easily decompose the material and reduce waste.
Beeswax-Coated Paper
Like soybean-based paper, this is also an excellent alternative to unsustainable wax coatings. Beeswax is compostable due to its organic origin. Just provide the right conditions and decompose the paper easily.
Non-compostable wax papers are of two types:
Wax-Coated Paper With Paraffin
At the commercial level, we coat the paper with paraffin wax because the cost of paraffin wax is low`. This type of paper does not break down easily which is why you should not add it to the compost files.
Wax Paper with Chemical Additives
In some of the wax paper chemical additives are added to give it additional resistance to moisture. These additives prevent the decomposition of wax paper and even harm the quality of soil.
Different types of wax paper
Types of Wax-Coated Papers
| Type of Wax-Coated Paper | Description | Uses |
| Paraffin Wax Paper | It is a common type that is obtained from petroleum products. | Food packaging wraps for meats, and produce. |
| Beeswax Paper | It is a natural and sustainable option that is obtained from bees. | Food wraps, reusable wraps, sustainable packaging. |
| Soy Wax Paper | This wax is obtained from the soybean plant | Sustainable packaging, baking, and food storage. |
| Carnauba Wax Paper | This is a plant-based wax that we obtain from Brazilian palm trees. | High-quality food packaging, candy wraps, and cosmetics. |
| Candelilla Wax Paper | This wax is obtained from the candelilla shrubs. | Cosmetics, candles, food wraps, and packaging. |
Method To Compost Wax Paper
Can you recycle wax paper or not? To answer this question, you have to know what type of coating your paper contains. If it is soy or beeswax coating then you can compost it. On the other hand, if the coating is obtained from petroleum-based products then simply throw the paper in the landfill. If your paper is compostable then you can use the following steps to compost it:
Cut Paper Into Small Pieces
If you want to reduce the duration of composting, then you need to cut the paper into small sizes. With this, you can increase the surface area of the paper and hence easily accelerate the process of composting.
Mix The Paper With Organic Matter
The second thing that is vital to increase the rate of composting is that you have to mix the paper with “greens” and “browns”. When you add paper to vegetables and dried leaves, you maintain the right amount of carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Sometimes you fail to mix the right amount of wax paper with their organic matter and get the no to the question: is wax paper biodegradable?
Maintain Moisture Levels
Their step is to maintain the moisture content of the compost. One thing that is important to discuss here is that Wax paper repels water so make sure you are distributing water equally.
Turn The Pile Regularly
Turning the piles means that you have to regularly stir the compost for aeration. Turn the compost every two weeks so that the oxygen levels remain high and the process of decomposition remains smooth.
Conditions Necessary For Composting Wax Paper
As wax is a complex compound and has a huge structure, due to which its decomposition is difficult. So to make the whole process smooth and fast, you have to maintain the following conditions:
- High temperature thrives microbial activity, so try to keep it at 135°F – 160°F (57°C – 71°C).
- Proper aeration
- Maintain the moisture level up to 40 to 60%
Challenges In Composting Wax Paper
Even after knowing is wax paper recyclable or compostable, you may have to face several challenges. The main challenge is the complex structure of the wax. Secondly, if you fail to maintain the optimal conditions then the chances are quite dim that your product is going to decompose easily.
Benefits Of Composting
As mentioned earlier the reduction in the generation of solid waste is necessary if you want to reduce pollution and hence environmental degradation then change in the consumption pattern is also required. When you compost or recycle wax paper then you can get the following benefits:
- Reduces Landfill Waste
- Enriches Soil Health
- Reduce greenhouse gas product
Compostability of Wax Paper
| Form of Wax Paper | Compostable | Reasons for Compostability | Reasons for Non-Compostability |
| Beeswax Paper | Yes | 1. Made from natural, biodegradable beeswax. 2. No petroleum-based chemicals. 3. Can break down in compost over time. 4. Supports soil health. 5. Eco-friendly, non-toxic. | – |
| Soy Wax Paper | Yes | 1. Soy wax is plant-based. 2. Biodegradable. 3. Free from toxic chemicals. 4. Breaks down naturally in compost. 5. Doesn’t leave harmful residues. | – |
| Candelilla Wax Paper | Yes | 1. Plant-based wax. 2. Biodegradable. 3. Free from synthetic chemicals. 4. Compostable under the right conditions. 5. Less harmful to soil and plants. | – |
| Beeswax Wraps | Yes | 1. Natural material. 2. Biodegradable wax. 3. No synthetic chemicals. 4. Can be composted or buried in soil. 5. Environmentally friendly alternative to plastic wraps. | – |
| Paraffin Wax Paper | No | 1. Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum. 2. Non-biodegradable. 3. Contains chemicals harmful to the environment. 4. Does not break down in compost. | 1. Petroleum-based. 2. Toxic chemicals can leach into the soil. 3. Increases landfill waste. |
| Microcrystalline Wax Paper | No | 1. Made from petroleum-based materials. 2. Does not break down easily. 3. Contains synthetic chemicals. 4. Non-compostable in home compost. | 1. Petroleum-derived wax. 2. Non-biodegradable. 3. Harmful for the environment when composted. |
| Carnauba Wax Paper | Yes | 1. Plant-based wax. 2. Naturally biodegradable. 3. Does not contain toxic substances. 4. Can be composted in home or industrial settings. | – |
| Waxed Paper (general) | No | 1. Usually coated with paraffin or microcrystalline wax. 2. Not biodegradable in home composts. 3. Often treated with chemicals that slow decomposition. | 1. Typically contains paraffin (petroleum-based). 2. Chemicals present make it non-compostable. |
| Wax Paper with Synthetic Coating | No | 1. Contains artificial waxes and resins. 2. Synthetic coatings are non-compostable. 3. Contains petroleum-derived substances. | 1. Synthetic coatings prevent breakdown. 2. Toxic to soil when composted. 3. Adds to plastic waste in landfills. |
Conclusion
The decomposition of the wax depends on the origin of the wax. So if you have identified that the wax that you are using is easy to decompose then using the methods and marinating the conditions mentioned in the blog you can compost the material and only a pivotal role in the reduction of carbon footprint. For such compostable wax paper for packaging, you can get the services of waxpapers.co.uk.