The Benefits of Cardboard Recycling and How to Recycle Cardboard?

Businesses of all sizes recycle cardboard, also called corrugated cardboard, to save money on waste disposal costs. Recycling cardboard involves reprocessing and reusing thick layers of paper that have been used, discarded or considered waste.

Paperboard boxes are usually very durable and hard, due to their heavy weight and thick sheets. In addition to packaging boxes and egg cartons, cereal boxes, shoe boxes, and shoe laces are examples of cardboard.

Besides reducing pollution, recycling conserves valuable resources and creates jobs, as well as saving our environment from degradation. It is extremely necessary to recycle cardboard to keep the environment clean. How the cardboard recycling system works is explained in the steps below.

Cardboard Recycling Guidelines and Steps to take

Collection of the cardboard

This is the first step in recycling used cardboard. Waste cardboard is collected at designated cardboard collection points by recycling companies and businesses.

There are numerous places where cardboard waste is collected, including trash bins, stores, scrap yards, and commercial outlets. Paper mills usually recycle these materials after they are collected and measured.

The manner in which cardboard is used or manufactured determines whether some types are accepted, while others are not. Generally, cardboard that has been waxed or coated, or used for food packaging, will not be accepted for recycling because they undergo different recycling processes.

Sorting Reusable Cardboard from Trash

The corrugated boxes are sorted by the materials they are made of when they arrive at the recycling facility. Boxboard and corrugated cardboard are the most common types. These are thin cardboard boxes, such as those used for cereal boxes or drink containers.

Commonly used for packaging and transporting goods, corrugated boxes are larger and stiffer. Due to the various grades of material that are being recovered by paper mills, sorting is vital.

Process of shredding and pulping

As soon as sorting is complete, shredding follows, followed by pulping. During shredding, cardboard and paper fibers are broken down into tiny pieces. In order to transform the paper fibers into a slurry, it is finely shredded into small pieces and mixed with chemicals and water.

The pulping process is what is referred to as pulping. In order to solidify and firm up the resulting substance, the pulped material is then mixed with brand-new pulp made from wood chips.

De-ink, filtering, and removing foreign materials

To remove foreign materials and impurities like strings, tape, and glue, the pulp material undergoes a comprehensive filtering process.

Using a centrifuge-like process, contaminants such as plastics and metal staples are removed from the pulp. The plastic floats on top, while heavy metal staples fall to the bottom, where they are removed.

Following filtration and screening, dyes and ink are removed from the pulp with a floatation device. This step is known as the cleaning process and is used to prepare the pulp for the final processing step.

Finishing Process for Cardboard Recycling

Using flat conveyor belts and heated cylindrical surfaces for drying, the pulp is blended with new production materials and placed on flat conveyor belts.

In the process of drying, the pulp is passed through an automated machine to remove excess water, allowing long rolls of fibers called linerboards and mediums to be formed. New cardboard is constructed by gluing together the linerboards, layer by layer.

Another method uses corrugated sheets, which are run through two huge metal rolls with teeth to give them the ridges. The thin outer covering is then made of linerboards that are glued to the medium.

Additionally, the linerboards and mediums are sent to boxboard manufacturers to be turned into boxes for packaging or transporting goods by using machines that create creases along pattern folds.

Recycling cardboard bales has many advantages

Reduce landfill waste

The amount of cardboard dumped in landfills accounts for almost half of total municipal waste. Recycling cardboard waste reduces the amount of cardboard waste dumped in landfills. More than nine cubic yards of landfill space are saved per tonne of cardboard. Recycling cardboard promotes a healthy environment and improves the cleanliness of the environment.

Environmental Suitability

100% recyclable and biodegradable, cardboard is made from renewable resources. Thus, it offers what is referred to as “green” packaging solutions that reduce environmental footprint and degradation. Most cardboard is made from 70% to 90% recycled materials, while some cardboard is made from almost 100% recycled materials.

Due to its high reuse percentage in the production of new cardboard products, recycling cardboard offers an effective solution to environmental conservation.

Utilizes renewable materials to promote sustainable development

The wood chips added during pulping contain a high proportion of recyclable materials, such as birch or pine pulp. In addition, they grow well in a wide range of environmental conditions.

They are also first-growing compared to hardwood trees. Due to the fact that they can grow fast in various conditions and their recyclable quality, it means they can be managed and harvested sustainably. This aims to promote the use of renewable materials.

Green energy

Because corrugated packaging products can be recycled to a high percentage, the energy required to produce them is greatly reduced, and the energy saved can be used for other purposes.

The energy required to make new cardboard is only 75% lower when cardboard is recycled. Making cardboard from recycled materials uses 90% less water and 50% less electricity than making it from virgin materials.

Additionally, they are made from environmentally friendly materials that are locally available.

This allows cardboard recycling to reduce transportation and production costs while at the same time providing stronger packaging or protection for goods during transit. New cardboard boxes don’t require extra materials or energy.

Recycling cardboard reduces environmental pollution as well as the energy and materials needed to create new cardboard.

Good for the environment and global warming

Trees are the source of cardboard and paper. In addition to reducing the amount of trees cut down each year, recycling cardboard is also very beneficial for the environment. Global warming is largely caused by deforestation.

As cardboard recycling technology advances, less trees have to be cut down, which is healthy for the environment.

Recycling cardboard paper saves trees, preserving the natural habitat and the ecosystem as a whole. This has a positive impact on the environment and mankind, in general. One tree can be saved from being cut down if a person recycles all the paper he or she produces in one year.

Water conservation

Wood materials are used to manufacture paper products like cardboard, which involve the use of considerable amounts of water. Recycled cardboard, however, has already passed through the processing stage, so less water is required.

In comparison to the production of paper from virgin fiber, recycling paper saves water. Every tonne of cardboard that is recycled will save an estimated 8000 gallons

Recycling Industry Job Opportunities

InFrom collecting waste cardboard to distributing the filled products on the market, recycling creates a lot of jobs as result, the economy grows and becomes more stable.

Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced

Cardboard decomposes automatically since it’s biodegradable. There are times, however, when it emits harmful gases. Recyclable materials reduce greenhouse gas emissions considerably if they are reused.

It is estimated that one tonne of paper will produce 750 kg of carbon dioxide when it is incinerated. Climate change is caused by greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2).

As cardboard breaks down in landfills, it releases a toxic greenhouse gas called methane. Methane contributes twice as much to global warming as carbon dioxide.

Economic benefits of recycling

Buying used cardboard boxes

The durability and resistance of recycled cardboard remain the same. In addition to being more economical, corrugated cardboard retains its quality or properties after recycling. Many companies can utilize used cardboard boxes the same as they do with new boxes. They will also save a significant amount of money on purchasing

Selling Used Cardboard Bales

Companies such as Used Box Recycling (UBR) will actually pay you for your used cardboard bales and boxes. Most recyclers will also provide pick ups and drop trailers if necessary.

Rather than being an expense for waste hauling, cardboard recycling can actually generate revenue for your company. You can also create a safer and more efficient work environment for your employees.

Why Recycle Used Cardboard Products?

Our planet benefits from recycling because it conserves resources, creates jobs, and reduces pollution. The corporate social responsibility programs of big companies also include recycling items, and recycling also saves them money on waste disposal.

Online shopping is so popular from companies like amazon or fedex; many of us have to dispose of lots of cardboard boxes. These items can be disposed of in several ways, including:

• Use cardboard boxes for storage when you have plenty at your disposal. Large cardboard boxes can even be used to make toys for your children. They can also be used as containers for separating recycling materials.
• When you have friends or relatives planning to move, you can pass give them your used cardboard boxes. Items that are not used too often can be stored in small cardboard boxes. These cardboard boxes can be used for school projects by children.
• Recycle: If you cannot reuse cardboard boxes for any reason, you can send them to a local recycling facility. The majority of waste recycling centers accept cardboard. It is best to search for a local cardboard box recycling company near you and ask if they offer free pick ups or drop offs.

Feel free to contact Used Box Recycling for any questions regarding cardboard bale and box recycling