What is Recycled Cardboard?

Recycled cardboard is cardboard that has been made with recycled materials, reducing the amount of new materials which had to be used in its manufacture. This form of cardboard is believed to be more environmentally friendly, and many companies that like to engage in environmentally conscious practices use recycled cardboard and other recycled materials in their packaging. It is also possible for consumers to purchase recycled cardboard for their own use.

The term “cardboard” is used generically to refer to any sort of heavy duty paper product. A classic form of cardboard is corrugated cardboard, which consists of a sheet of wavy cardstock compressed between two sheets of cardstock, providing a very sturdy and strong material which can be used in packaging. The manufacture of cardboard requires many more resources than lighter cardstock and other paper products, which can make all-new cardboard a costly proposition.

In the case of recycled cardboard, it is rare to see 100% recycled material. Instead, manufacturers create a blend of recycled material and new material for increased sturdiness. The packaging usually indicates the percentage of recycled material in the cardboard, with a label like “25% recycled” or “25% post-consumer material.” Using purely recycled material could potentially result in a weak product which might fail, because the individual fibers of the cardboard grow shorter with each recycling, weakening the bonds which make cardboard strong.

Many people associate coarse, brown paper products with “recycled” paper and cardboard. In fact, it is possible to make recycled cardboard with a smooth texture, along with bleached recycled cardboard which can be white, tan, or any other color, with the use of dyes. Historically, companies have left recycled paper products more coarse to prove that recycled material is involved, and the natural color is retained to avoid using potentially toxic bleach and dyes in processing.

Consumers can recycle the cardboard they encounter in packaging and other situations. Most municipal recycling agencies collect cardboard with other common recyclables like glass and plastic, and it is also often possible to deliver cardboard in bulk to a recycling plant, for people who deal with a high volume of cardboard. By recycling cardboard, people promote the use of recycled materials, reducing the number of trees which must be harvested specifically for the purpose of making paper products like cardboard.

Recycled cardboard is created from used cardboard materials that are processed to make new cardboard. The process involves collecting, sorting, and cleaning the old cardboard, which is then pulped. The pulp is mixed with new or recycled paper fibers and then reformed into sheets that can be used to make new cardboard products.

Recycling cardboard is crucial because it conserves resources and reduces waste. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, recycling cardboard saves 25% of the energy needed to make new cardboard and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It also conserves trees, as every ton of recycled cardboard saves about 17 trees from being cut down.

Most types of cardboard can be recycled, including corrugated cardboard and flat cardboard like cereal boxes. However, cardboard contaminated with food, grease, or other waste may not be recyclable as it can spoil the recycling process. It's important to check with local recycling guidelines to determine what types of cardboard are accepted.

To determine if cardboard is recyclable, look for the recycling symbol on the packaging. Additionally, ensure the cardboard is clean and free from contaminants like food or oil. If your local recycling program accepts cardboard, you can typically recycle boxes, cartons, and other forms of clean, dry cardboard.

Recycled cardboard is used to make a variety of products, including new cardboard boxes, paper towels, tissues, and writing paper. The versatility of recycled cardboard allows it to be repurposed into packaging materials, egg cartons, and even furniture, showcasing its wide range of applications in everyday items.

Recycling cardboard saves energy and resources by reducing the need for virgin materials. The production of recycled cardboard uses less water and energy compared to new cardboard. For instance, recycling one ton of cardboard can save over 9 cubic yards of landfill space and 390 kWh of electricity, highlighting the efficiency of recycling.