Dented, ripped and damaged cardboard can still be recycled. You do not have to remove tape or labels – the recycling process will remove these for you. Milk, juice, and cereal boxes can all be recycled, if clean.
Should I cut up cardboard for recycling?
Cutting down the cardboard makes transporting the material much easier and more efficient and, once in the facility, the smaller pieces are less likely to clog machinery. … Because cardboard has already been processed, recycling it into new products saves resources like virgin trees and water.
Why do you have to break down boxes for recycling?
It is so important to properly recycle cardboard because doing so only takes 75% of the energy needed to make new cardboard (Recycle Across America). … Be sure to remove shipping labels and packing tape from your cardboard boxes. Break down your boxes before throwing them in your recycling bin.
What cardboard is not recyclable?
Food and liquid-soiled cardboard is not recyclable and should not be put in the recycling. Soiled cardboard can ruin otherwise good recyclables and make an entire load of materials unrecyclable. Therefore, food and liquid-soiled cardboard belongs in the garbage.
How do you destroy cardboard?
The Golden Rule: Break It Down
Follow these easy steps to properly break it down: Take your box and turn it upside down. Run a box cutter along the center bottom seam, slicing through the packing tape. Repeat this under the two flaps on each end of the box, freeing the tape at the edges.
What happens if you don’t break down boxes?
Putting intact boxes in your Curby Recycler can result in them getting wedged inside. That means they could get left in there, especially if your recycling is serviced by an automated side load truck.
How do you break down boxes quickly?
A common breakdown method is to flip the box over and cut the packing tape holding down the flaps on the bottom. Open all flaps, top and bottom, and the box will collapse flat. If you need to break down your box into smaller pieces, leave the bottom intact, open the top flaps, and put the box on its side.
How do you know if a box is recyclable?
Recyclable plastic usually comes with a little recycling symbol printed on the bottom and depending on the product, there might be a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 stamped in the center of the symbol.
Can cereal boxes be recycled?
Cereal boxes are made of lightweight cardboard that is very easy to recycle. You should be able to recycle your cereal boxes with other paper products such as newspapers, envelopes and other food boxes. … It is a good idea to break down cereal boxes before placing them in your recycling bin.