Newspapers Recycle Curbside Newspaper Bags Are Plastic Bags Newspaper bags are a type of plastic film. Find out what to do with plastic bags and film. Compost It You can compost newspapers because they are made from paper that is clean and untreated. Almost all modern newspapers are printed using a plant-based ink. Ways to Reuse Use as Packaging Consider using newspaper for packaging instead of bubble wrap. Newspaper is more eco-friendly than packing peanuts or bubble wrap and it’s more affordable, too. Did You Know? How Paper Gets Recycled