Cardboard is one of the most recyclable materials available — right up there with aluminum. Not only is it made from recycled material, but it can be recycled multiple times itself into new cardboard. And if that weren’t enough, cardboard is also one of the easiest materials to recycle because there’s no need to segregate cardboards based on their type. As long as the material is free of contaminants such as grease and oil, it can be recycled.
Benefits of Recycling Cardboard
Recycling cardboard is good for the environment. For every 1 ton of brand new cardboard, it takes 3 tons of wood. However, since cardboard can be recycled into itself, the amount of wood needed drastically decreases. Instead of using entirely new wood, most of the material is old cardboard. Only a minority of the material that goes into recycled cardboard is new wood, and this is necessary to make up for the breakdown of fiber from multiple recycling processes. Every time cardboard is recycled, the fibers shorten, and the new wood compensates for this.
While everyone knows of the environmental benefit of recycling cardboard, what you may not know is the financial benefit. By separating your cardboard from your trash, you can save money on waste disposal costs. And depending on the amount of cardboard you recycle, you can even receive an extended rebate if it is baled.
Types of Cardboard
The two main types of cardboard are corrugated cardboard and paperboard. Corrugated cardboard is what most people think of when it comes to cardboard. This is the, often brown, type of cardboard that’s made up of multiple flat and corrugated layers. This type of cardboard is more sturdy than paperboard and often takes up more space.
Paperboard is the grey-white, paper-like cardboard that’s used for things like cereal boxes. It’s thinner than corrugated cardboard but thicker than paper. This is generally the final version of cardboard. Once fibers have been recycled to the point that they are no longer good enough for corrugated cardboard, they are used to make paperboard.
Cardboard Collection and Baling
Cardboards can be collected in recycling containers just like most other recyclable materials. However, if your business produces a large amount of cardboard waste, the space it takes up within your containers can be less than ideal. For those with a large amount of cardboard waste, a baler is a worthwhile investment. Baling is used to reduce the amount of space taken up by cardboard and other paper-based products. And not only will it save space at your place of business, but it can even save you money. Since transportation is a large part of the recycling cost, greater rebates can be extended when the cardboard is densely packed.
If you’re interested in acquiring a baler, we can help you select the right one for your needs. There are many different manufacturers and options available. Once your cardboard has been baled, we’ll pick it up with one of our dedicated bale pick-up trucks equipped with our own forklifts.
Cardboard Recycling Process
The cardboard recycling process is largely the same as the paper recycling process. First, the material is baled and transported to the paper mill. There, it’s mixed with water and filtered to remove any contaminants such as staples or other pieces of metal. After the washing phase, the fibers are pressed into sheets and dried. Finally, the sheets of cardboard are rolled
Conclusion
Cardboard is one of the most recyclable materials around. Recycling cardboard is both good for the environment and for your finances. Since both corrugated cardboard and paperboard are both mostly made from recycled material, they reduce the number of trees that need to be cut down for their manufacturing. And separating your cardboard from your other waste can reduce your waste disposal costs. But that’s not all. If you invest in a baler to make your cardboard more compact, you can receive the additional benefit of extended rebates. Finally, after your cardboard is picked up, it goes through the same recycling process as waste paper.
Accurate Recycling
Accurate Recycling is your one-stop-shop for all things recycling. Whether you’re looking to set up a comprehensive recycling solution for your operations or are in the market for a cardboard baler, we can help. Contact us today for more information on how we can streamline your recycling pick-up.