Recycling cardboard boxes is very important. Photo compliments of Papertrail.com.
With the trend for more people and businesses to go green, using recyclable materials, and knowing how to properly recycle them, is important. Most people have long been familiar with recycling bottles and cans, but cardboard can be a bit confusing. Not all types of cardboard boxes can be recycled. When you look at the facts, however, you see how important corrugated cardboard recycling is. Recycling just one ton of corrugated cardboard saves 17 trees, 7000 gallons of water, 11 barrels of oil, and 3 cubic yards of landfill space. Here is some information about cardboard recycling to take away some of the confusion when attempting to be environmentally responsible.
First, what CAN’T be recycled. Some cardboard containers are coated with wax, or a substance called wet strength, which is a chemical. These types of containers are usually for shipping food, and cannot be recycled. Also, any cardboard that is soaked with oil or any hazardous chemical is not recyclable.
What is the proper way to recycle corrugated cardboard? In order to recycle corrugated boxes, you must remove all contents, including plastic bags or wrap, and any other packaging material inside. Any tape, labels, or staples can be left on the box. All boxes must be flattened. When recycling corrugated cardboard, make sure that there is no boxboard or chipboard mixed in since these types are recycled using a different process. How do you tell the difference? Corrugated cardboard has a wavy layer in the middle when you tear it, boxboard does not. Boxboard or paperboard is thin and has a grey, flat layer in the middle.
However, some city curbside recycling programs allow you to recycle corrugated, boxboard, junk mail, office paper, newspaper, and magazines all grouped together. Contact your county’s Solid Waste District for information on what is accepted in your area and where to drop off recycling if you don’t have curbside pick-up.
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