Cardboard Recycling

Cardboard Recycling. Can you find our skid-steer hiding?

Cardboard Recycling

WRG can accept nearly all cardboard at out collection locations and at our facility. In order to maximize the space in the collection containers PLEASE COLLAPSE ALL BOXES. We can NOT accept cardboard that has grease(pizza boxes) or wax (some produce boxes) on them.

Pressboard/Chipboard/Paperboard Cardboard such as Kleenex, Cracker and Cookie boxes, 6,12 & 24Packs, cereal, cardboard tubes etc. can be placed in the cardboard bins as well.Please be sure to remove ALL Styrofoam, plastic wrap and other packing material from the boxes beforeplacing in the bins. Avoid boxes with food residue and wax layer such as: milk cartons, juice boxes etc.

📦 What Is Cardboard Recycling?

Cardboard recycling involves collecting and processing used cardboard (like shipping boxes and cereal boxes) to create new paper-based products. The two main types of recyclable cardboard are:

  1. Corrugated cardboard – the thick, brown boxes used for shipping.

  2. Paperboard (chipboard) – the thinner material used for cereal boxes, shoe boxes, and similar packaging.

🔁 What Cardboard Becomes When Recycled

Recycled cardboard is pulped (mixed with water and broken down into fibers), cleaned, and then reused to make:

  • New cardboard boxes (corrugated and paperboard)

  • Paper bags

  • Paper towels and tissues

  • Cereal and food boxes

  • Packaging materials

  • Egg cartons

High-quality recycled cardboard can be reused 5–7 times before the fibers become too short to make strong paper products.

🌍 Environmental Impact of Recycling Cardboard

1. Reduces Waste in Landfills

  • Cardboard makes up a large portion of household and business waste.

  • Recycling keeps millions of tons out of landfills each year.

2. Saves Trees

  • Recycling 1 ton of cardboard saves about 17 trees.

  • It also saves 7,000 gallons of water, 4,000 kWh of electricity, and 1 cubic yard of landfill space.

3. Cuts Greenhouse Gas Emissions

  • Recycling cardboard emits less CO₂ than producing new cardboard from raw materials.

  • Decomposing cardboard in landfills releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas—so recycling helps prevent this.

4. Saves Energy and Water

  • Recycling uses 25% less energy and 50% less water compared to making cardboard from virgin pulp.

5. Supports a Circular Economy

  • Recycling cardboard creates demand for recovered materials, reduces dependency on virgin resources, and supports green jobs in the recycling and paper industries.

✅ Tips for Effective Cardboard Recycling

  • Flatten boxes to save space.

  • Remove plastic tape, labels, and packing materials if possible.

  • Keep it clean and dry – wet or greasy cardboard (like pizza boxes) can contaminate recycling.