How to Recycle Cardboard

Two types of cardboard can be recycled: flat cardboard, which is typically used in cereal and shoe boxes, and corrugated cardboard, which has a ruffled layer between the two flat pieces of cardboard and is often used in packing boxes. Both can usually be recycled through your local curbside recycling program.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Contact your local curbside recycling program to see if it will accept corrugated and flat cardboard.

2. Break down all cardboard boxes so that they are flat and in a stack. Depending on your community's recycling program, you may have to break cardboard down so that it fits into a brown paper bag, or you might have to recycle it with your mixed paper.

3. Take cardboard boxes to your local supermarket if your community curbside recycling program does not accept one or both types of cardboard. Most supermarkets will take boxes.

4. See if your local recycling program will recycle waxed cardboard (milk and juice cartons) at the curbside. If not, your community may have a drop-off center for waxed cardboard. Call (800) CLEANUP for state recycling information.

5. Call the Corrugated Packaging Council for more information about recycling corrugated cardboard in your area at [phone].

6. Check with your county's department of public works to find out about local curbside recycling programs and community drop-off centers, or look under "Recycling" in the Yellow Pages.

Tips & Warnings

• Staples can be recycled with cardboard.

• Check with your local recycling program to see if you need to remove tape from cardboard before recycling it.

• Avoid recycling cardboard that is stained with food or any type of oil.