Cardboard Recycling: The 7 Most Important Things to Know

Cardboard recycling is an important issue largely overlooked in most cities. With the over-saturation of stores and an increasing number of people, it’s hard to avoid cardboard. That’s why you need to know how to recycle cardboard effectively so your litter can eventually be recycled back into the world. Cardboard recycling is possible locally, but for big cities, it’s become difficult because there aren’t enough places to dump your excess boxes.

Tips on recycling cardboard:

1) Know where to recycle cardboard

The most important thing to know about recycling cardboard is that it’s not always easy. Most cities have a recycling center. However, storage can become an issue for businesses with large volumes of recyclable cardboard. If you are facing this issue, then you should consider a compactor and baling machine. A compactor simply compacts waste. The baling machine uses baling wire from companies like balingwiredirect.com to secure compacted waste.

2) Make sure it’s clean

Another important tip is to make sure you’ve cleaned your cardboard. Many recycling plants simply don’t accept dirty boxes. For example, any cardboard that has been contaminated with grease will be refused by a recycling plant. This can put an entire container load of recyclables are risk, resulting in more landfill or incineration.

3) Avoid coated cardboard

Some packaging is difficult or impossible to recycle because of the covering used on the cardboard box. For example, if your cardboard boxes have a plastic coating, the cardboard will be recyclable but not the plastic coating. As the two are bonded together, it makes the whole item unrecyclable.

4) Avoid mixed material

It is best to store cardboard separately from other recyclables. As an example, if your cardboard box has a plastic band around it, the whole item could be unsafe to recycle. You’ll have to remove the band or move the cardboard into a different stream of recycling.

5) Consider using an eco-friendly alternative

Using an eco-friendly alternative to coated cardboard is the number one green tip. Most boxes and packaging can be easily replaced with biodegradable materials. Your local recycling plant will accept the biodegradable material, but it will decompose in the right environment. In this way, your cardboard waste can eventually become organic material and fertilize the soil for plants.

6) Avoid unnecessary cardboard usage

The best way to reduce your use of cardboard is to avoid buying items with a lot of packaging or single-use cardboard items. For example, a single-serve coffee serving from your favorite coffee shop is more environmentally friendly when served in a multi-use cup.

7) Recycle the removable parts

Finally, make sure you recycle any removable parts like the spines and the covers of magazines. These can be recycled separately.

Cardboard recycling is possible at a local level, but for big cities, it’s become difficult because there aren’t enough places where you can dump your excess boxes. The most important thing to know about recycling cardboard is that it’s not always easy. Most cities have a recycling center. However, storage can become an issue for businesses with large volumes of recyclable cardboard. If facing this issue, you should consider a waste compactor and baling machine.

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