Recycling cardboard boxes is a great way to help the earth, cut down on waste, and save energy. A easy but effective way to cut down on the amount of trash that ends up in landfills is to do this. Find out how we can help protect natural resources and lower pollution by reading this piece.
The world we live in lets us buy things without leaving our lounges. Everything we order, from dinner tonight to next month’s subscription box, has to be packed and sent in a way that makes sure our goods or food get to us safely.
As the number of online stores grows, shipping cartons and cardboard boxes used for delivery also grow. As a result, many of us end up with a lot of cardboard at home.
The good news is that cardboard or paper boxes can be recycled, while other types of packing may have plastic laminates. We will talk about two kinds of boxes:
- Carton boxes and other paper-based boxes
- Postage boxes and other corrugated boxes
The sheets of corrugated cardboard are thick and have an extra layer of wavy fiber in between them. These boxes are mostly used to ship packages or move things.
When cardboard is recycled, the threads get too short to make strong corrugated cardboard. This is why paperboard is made of thin cardboard. They are mostly used for cereal boxes, beverage packaging, food boxes, and boxes for light items.
How is Cardboard Recycled?
Step 1: Sorting And Shredding
When cardboard boxes get to the recycling center, they have to be separated from other paper products and put into piles based on the type of board they are made of, since not all kinds of cardboard are made in the same way. The cardboard will be shred so that it can be recycled better later on after it has been split and sorted.
Step 2: Pulping
Then, water will be added to the shreds to break down and soften the cardboard fibers so they can be used to make new cardboard materials. This method is called pulping.
Step 3: Filtering
Once the cardboard has been turned into pulp, it is filtered to get rid of any waste that is still on the boxes, like ink, tape, or nails, so the paper fibers can stick together properly. This will keep the new cardboard goods made in the end from breaking.
Step 4: Add More Water
When it’s time to make the cardboard, the filtered pulp will be mixed with more water, pressed, and stirred until it has the right consistency for the type of cardboard being made. Because different types of cardboard need different steps, the length of the process and any chemicals that are added will also be different.
Step 5: Roll and Dry
The pulp will be rolled out and dried after the mixing process is over. This will make big sheets of brown paper that can be used to make new paper and cardboard goods.
You now have a general idea of how this process works. Here are some easy things you can do to make it go more smoothly.
6 Tips & Steps on How to Recycle Cardboard Boxes
1. Put Cardboard Boxes In Your Wheelie Bins
Don’t forget that you can put cardboard boxes in your wheelie bin! It may seem like a clear-cut idea. You shouldn’t put cardboard and paper recycling in the garbage bin with your other trash. It should be its own bin. Make the boxes flat and cut them up to save room.
2. Donate For Reuse
Instead of putting away your cardboard boxes, think about these ways to use them again. Keep in mind that they should be in really good shape, with no holes, tears, mold, or other problems.
Talk to your neighbors. Check to see if anyone needs the boxes, or leave them outside the front door with a note!
Nearby charities. Check with the groups in your area to see if they could use any cardboard boxes.
Put up ads on social media. Online, you can use sites like Freecycle, Freegle, Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, or LoveJunk to reach people in your area.
3. Ask Your Removal Company If They Want The Boxes
Are you moving? If you hired a moving company, you could give them the plastic boxes to use on other jobs. This is a simple answer if the boxes are still good enough to use. But if they got broken during the move, the moving company probably won’t want to take them.
4. Retailer Delivery Takeback
You might be able to recycle something or have the store take back the packaging when they bring something big, like furniture. If you want to be sure before the delivery, check the store’s website or call them. If the delivery person doesn’t want to take the boxes, you might be let down on the day!
5. Take Cardboard Boxes To The Recycling Centre
If your cardboard boxes can’t be used again and there are too many for your wheelie bins, you might want to take them to the local recycling center. The dump is also known as a Civic Amenity site, a HWRC (household waste recovery center), or just the tip.
It’s free to get rid of cardboard boxes at council places. This is a good, cheap choice if you can fit everything in your car. But you should check your council’s website again because the rules can be different there.
6. Pay A Man & Van Waste Collector
Lastly, you can get your old cardboard boxes taken away by a legal trash collector. Someone gets paid to pick it up and take it away for you. By far, this is the fastest option, as you can usually set up pickup in just a few days, if not the same day.
Make sure that the company you hire to take away your trash has a license from the Environment Agency. Cowboy collectors often charge a small fee and then dump the trash in a nearby field without paying for it.
The LoveJunk marketplace is the best place to find a nearby, licensed, and insured junk collector who can take away your cardboard boxes.
How Much Does Cardboard Removal Cost?
You can expect to pay around £20 to £80 to get rid of wooden boxes. But keep in mind that the exact price will rely on how much cardboard you have, how quickly you need it picked up, and if there is any other trash with it.
How To Save Money On Cardboard Box Removal
You can cut down on collection costs in a number of ways, including:
- Keep the boxes dry. Wet cardboard is heavier than dry cardboard, and it can be hard to collect because it is easy to break up. If it takes them longer to load, collectors charge more.
- Make the cardboard boxes flat. This will help the driver load faster and take up less space in their van. Most of the time, you pay more for more room.
- Take the boxes away from the plastic, polystyrene, and other trash. Collectors can get rid of cardboard for a lot less money than other trash because it can be recycled so many times. It will save them time and money if you split it up ahead of time.
- Put all of your cardboard boxes outside where they will be easy to find. Once more, this is all about getting the collector’s work done as quickly as possible, since time is money!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Leave Cardboard Boxes Out For Recycling?
Yes, many cities and towns recycle cardboard. You can leave your trash out for the garbage men as long as it doesn’t block the sidewalk or cause any other problems. Just make sure it’s not blocking anything. Make sure you only leave it out the night before or morning of the collection.
Are Cardboard Boxes Compostable?
Yes, most kinds of cardboard can be broken down. Most of the time, you shouldn’t put shiny cardboard or paper in your compost because the shine is sometimes made from plastic. Most types of matte cardboard are great for compost. Remember to remove any plastic tape.
Can You Get Money For Cardboard?
You can sell your cardboard, yes. The only places this is really worth it for are those that use a lot of cardboard. You probably won’t have enough as an individual because companies that buy cardboard usually have a minimum amount that they need to gather. We suggest that you use a binder for bigger amounts of cardboard. People who recycle will likely pay you more because this saves them time.
Can I Recycle Cardboard Boxes At Sainsbury’s/ ASDA/ Tesco’s?
Yes, but only at certain shops and some supermarkets. You should check to see if the store closest to you has recycling bins.
Use Recycle now to find out where to recycle your cardboard. Put in “cardboard” and then your area to find the recycling centers and points of sale that are closest to you.