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Inquiring minds want to know: May I compost wax paper and parchment paper?

Here is the answer from our composting partner, Compost Now.

Remember, when in doubt, throw it out!
"Thanks for checking! That is a tricky question because wax paper and parchment paper are often confused. Plain wax paper is compostable, but it must not be confused with other baking sheets not specifically labeled as “wax paper.” The best way to tell is to tear it - if it rips easily like paper, it's all good. If it's hard to pull apart and a bit resistant or stretchy, then it's plastic based and is a no-go.

For parchment paper, it is generally not compostable; to be “non-stick” most brands coat the paper with Quilon which is a heavy-metal containing chemical. A few brands such as "If You Care" or others found at places like Whole Foods coat their paper with silicone— these are safe to compost!"

If you have a question about what you can compost at CUCC, contact Jane Smith smithjeg@mindspring.com of CUCC's Justice in a Changing Climate Task Force.