- 1Remove ALL tape, staples, plastic packaging, and shipping labels
- 2Cut or tear large boxes into pieces smaller than 3x3 feet
- 3Flatten boxes completely to save space and improve sorting
- 4Remove any wax coating, plastic lining, or food residue
- 5Keep completely dry - even damp cardboard can contaminate recycling loads
- 6Separate corrugated cardboard from paperboard (cereal boxes)
- Curbside recycling
- Recycling centers
- Retail store collection bins
- Business pickup services
Pizza boxes are recyclable ONLY if clean - remove any food residue and grease-stained portions. Waxed cardboard (like produce boxes) goes in regular trash.
Recycling cardboard saves 24% of energy compared to making new cardboard from trees. One ton of recycled cardboard saves 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, and prevents 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space. Can be recycled 5-7 times before fibers become too short.
- Reuse for storage or moving
- Donate to people moving
- Use for craft projects
- Composting (if uncoated)
- Donate to schools for art projects
Accepted
- Shipping boxes (clean, flattened)
- Amazon and delivery boxes
- Cereal and food boxes (paperboard)
- Shoe boxes
- Clean pizza boxes (top portion if clean)
- Egg cartons (cardboard type)
Not Accepted
- Wax-coated cardboard (produce boxes)
- Wet or moldy cardboard
- Plastic-lined cardboard
- Cardboard with food waste attached
- Heavily soiled pizza boxes
- Cardboard with large amounts of tape/glue
Do I need to remove all the tape from cardboard boxes?
Yes, removing tape, staples, and labels is crucial. These materials can jam recycling machinery and contaminate the recycling process.
Can I recycle pizza boxes?
Yes, but only the clean portions. Cut away any parts with grease, cheese, or food residue. The clean top and sides can typically be recycled.
What's the difference between cardboard and paperboard?
Corrugated cardboard has a wavy layer between two flat sheets (shipping boxes). Paperboard is single-layer (cereal boxes). Both are recyclable but may be processed differently.
Can I recycle cardboard if it gets wet?
No, wet cardboard cannot be recycled as it breaks down the fibers and can contaminate other recyclables. Make sure cardboard stays completely dry.