Pretty sure you’re right - there’s the concern of the resources / energy needed for recycling but also, recycling decreases the need for new materials enough to offset that.
That said, AFAIK paper and cardboard are the only thing that can be both composted and recycled, so the advice of the person you replied to is still generally good.
This is the guidance I’ve seen on the topic:
Recycle:
clean, dry paper
clean, dry cardboard
But compost:
soiled and wet paper/cardboard
pizza boxes and other similar things
paper towels
paper/cardboard egg cartons
Don’t compost (throw away if unsuitable to recycle):
glossy paper
paper with plastic attached
anything (e.g., paper towels) with cleaning chemicals or other substances unsuitable for composting on it
Why is that?
If I have the choice between composting or recycling paper, would it not be better to recycle than compost?
Pretty sure you’re right - there’s the concern of the resources / energy needed for recycling but also, recycling decreases the need for new materials enough to offset that.
That said, AFAIK paper and cardboard are the only thing that can be both composted and recycled, so the advice of the person you replied to is still generally good.
This is the guidance I’ve seen on the topic:
Recycle:
But compost:
Don’t compost (throw away if unsuitable to recycle):