Is 'wastepaper' one word or two?

It is most commonly written as one word ('wastepaper'), especially in compound nouns like 'wastepaper basket'. The two-word form 'waste paper' is also seen but is less frequent as a fixed term.

What's the difference between 'wastepaper' and 'scrap paper'?

'Wastepaper' generally means paper to be discarded or recycled. 'Scrap paper' (US also 'scratch paper') often refers to leftover or low-quality paper used for quick notes, drafts, or calculations before being discarded.

Can 'wastepaper' be used as a verb?

No, 'wastepaper' is only a noun or used attributively as an adjective (e.g., wastepaper bin). The verb form related to discarding paper would be 'to waste paper' (two words) meaning to use paper unnecessarily.

Is 'wastepaper' a formal word?

It is neutral to formal. In very informal contexts, people might just say 'paper recycling', 'old paper', or 'rubbish'. It is standard in administrative, business, and environmental contexts.

wastepaper

UK/ˈweɪstˌpeɪpə/US/ˈweɪstˌpeɪpər/

Formal to neutral

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

Paper that is discarded or considered useless, often used for recycling, packaging, or lighting fires.

Material considered to have no current value or function, often used metaphorically for ideas or efforts regarded as worthless.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily a mass noun. Often used attributively (e.g., wastepaper basket). Implies a specific category of refuse, distinct from general 'rubbish' or 'trash'.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

The term is used in both varieties, but compound forms like 'wastepaper basket/bin' are more common in UK English. In US English, 'scrap paper' or 'scratch paper' is often used for paper to write notes on, while 'wastepaper' refers more specifically to discarded paper for recycling or disposal.

Connotations

Neutral in both, associated with office/admin contexts and environmental recycling.

Frequency

Moderately common in UK English; slightly less frequent in everyday US English, where 'scrap paper' or simply 'recycling' may be used.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

wastepaper basketwastepaper binbundle of wastepaperpile of wastepaper

medium

recycle wastepapercollect wastepaperdiscard as wastepapercrumpled wastepaper

weak

office wastepaperhousehold wastepapersort wastepaperwastepaper disposal

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[V] wastepaper (e.g., recycle wastepaper)[Adj] wastepaper (e.g., recycled wastepaper)[N] of wastepaper (e.g., a sack of wastepaper)

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

paper wastepaper scrap

Neutral

scrap paperdiscarded paperused paper

Weak

recyclablesrefuserubbish (paper)

Vocabulary

Antonyms

valuable documentimportant paperstationeryfresh paper

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“[not a source of common idioms]”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Refers to confidential documents for shredding or general office paper recycling schemes.

Academic

Used in environmental studies discussing recycling processes or waste management.

Everyday

Referring to paper to be thrown away or put in the recycling bin.

Technical

In waste management, a specific stream of recyclable material.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

American English

adverb

British English

American English

adjective

British English

Please use the wastepaper bin for your shreddings.
The council collects wastepaper every fortnight.

American English

She tossed the memo into the wastepaper basket.
The company has a strict wastepaper recycling policy.

Examples

By CEFR Level

Put your old drawings in the wastepaper basket.
This is just wastepaper. We can recycle it.

The office has separate bins for wastepaper and plastic.
He crumpled the letter into a ball of wastepaper.

Local authorities have improved the collection rates for household wastepaper.
The metaphor reduced complex arguments to mere intellectual wastepaper.

The company's sustainability report highlighted a 40% reduction in wastepaper generation through digital workflows.
The poet described forgotten memories as mental wastepaper, cluttering the attic of the mind.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: WASTE (rubbish) + PAPER. It's paper you consider waste.

Conceptual Metaphor

WORTHLESS IDEAS ARE WASTEPAPER (e.g., 'His proposal was just wastepaper').

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid direct calque 'мусорная бумага'. Use 'макулатура' for paper for recycling, 'ненужная бумага' or 'бумажные отходы'.
Do not confuse with 'обёрточная бумага' (wrapping paper).

Common Mistakes

Using as a countable noun (*a wastepaper).
Confusing with 'waste paper' (two words), though the compound form is standard.
Misspelling as 'waste paper' (less common as a compound).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

After sorting the documents, she placed all the confidential ones in the shredder and the rest in the bin.

Multiple Choice

Which phrase is MOST commonly used in UK English for the container in an office?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: It is most commonly written as one word ('wastepaper'), especially in compound nouns like 'wastepaper basket'. The two-word form 'waste paper' is also seen but is less frequent as a fixed term.
: 'Wastepaper' generally means paper to be discarded or recycled. 'Scrap paper' (US also 'scratch paper') often refers to leftover or low-quality paper used for quick notes, drafts, or calculations before being discarded.
: No, 'wastepaper' is only a noun or used attributively as an adjective (e.g., wastepaper bin). The verb form related to discarding paper would be 'to waste paper' (two words) meaning to use paper unnecessarily.
: It is neutral to formal. In very informal contexts, people might just say 'paper recycling', 'old paper', or 'rubbish'. It is standard in administrative, business, and environmental contexts.