Can You Recycle Cardboard?

Cardboard is one of the most recyclable materials alongside paper, there are many different types of cardboard and they can all be recycled easily. It is more efficient to recycle cardboard than to manufacture new as 1 tonne of cardboard uses up to 3 tonnes of trees, therefore cardboard should always be recycled and diverted away from landfill where possible. 

Items like cardboard boxes and folders are part and parcel of most organisations, and they can pile up if not handled properly. This usually results in the regular disposal of large amounts of cardboard, most of which are sent to landfills or incinerated.

While cardboard is a biodegradable material, there are several benefits to recycling it, especially if you have large quantities sitting around within your premises. Cardboard recycling can open up opportunities to save on resources.

Can cardboard be recycled at home? 

In the UK cardboard is collected kerbside from most local councils. It usually is placed in the same recycling bins as paper and is one of the most easily recycled materials. With the rise of amazon and online shopping, cardboard and paper use has exploded over the last decade and everyone has the responsibility to ensure that this valuable resource doesn’t end up in Landfill. You shouldn’t need to seperate cardboard types just place in your recycling bin for collection. Check with your local council for details in your area, 

What can recycling cardboard do for my business?

All businesses should take responsibility for their waste streams and cardboard is one of the most used packing materials in the UK, meaning it effects every business big or small. What many businesses don’t realise is that by simply disposing of your cardboard, you could very well be wasting resources. Cardboard recycling is a highly lucrative enterprise, and engaging in it can reduce your waste management costs considerably.

For one, it eliminates the need to invest in new cardboard products, allowing your business to conserve current resources. It also keeps your company compliant with waste segregation policies and best practices.

Apart from the financial opportunities, cardboard recycling is an eco-friendly practice. The demand for new cardboard items results in the felling of new trees needed to produce them. Using recycled cardboard removes the need to make new cardboard, which cuts down the number of trees that have to be processed and at a grander scale, contributes to the preservation of the environment.

If you wish to implement a cardboard recycling program, set up a collection audit to gain a clearer picture of your total monthly waste weight. It will enable you to plan more effectively and integrate your cardboard recycling into your current waste management arrangements.

Where do I store my cardboard?

One of the greatest challenges of cardboard recycling is storage. Cardboard products must be stored in dry, compact places free from contamination. The problem is not necessarily that businesses choose not to conserve, but that they do not have the appropriate receptacles for cardboard storage. 

Fortunately, there are numerous storage options that can help you save space. Some of the most useful include:

• Backroom Balers: a space-efficient option suitable for small business. Can easily fit into 5 x 10 inch spaces.
• Vertical Stockroom Balers: Designed for retailers or commercial businesses that generate medium amounts of cardboard waste
• Horizontal Balers: Suitable for larger applications such as warehouse and manufacturing storage
• Break-away Compactors: Optimal for businesses such as supermarkets and wholesalers that consume large amounts of cardboard regularly.
• Front Load-Slotted Containers: Suitable for restaurants, restaurants and small businesses.

LKM Recycling can provide storage containers from bins to skips to hold your cardboard recycling. 

Zero Waste for a more sustainable future

Sustainability measures will help you in the long run, and one way to ensure their continued implementation is by cultivating a recycling culture within your company. Promote the value of the value of recycling within your organisation and designate clearly marked areas for sorting and segregation.

LKM Recycling provides eco-friendly cardboard recycling services for all types of industries. Contact us today for more information.