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How to Recycle Paperboard
Cereal boxes, shoe boxes, tissue boxes, and other lightweight paperboard - the cardboard box itself, not the tissue paper or product inside it.
Check local acceptanceLast reviewed July 30, 2026
Quick answer
Yes, paperboard - cereal and cracker boxes, shoeboxes, and tissue boxes (the box itself, not the tissue inside) - is recyclable. Flatten it, remove any plastic liner bags, and put it in curbside paper or mixed recycling; keep it dry, since wet fiber gets rejected. Before you go, confirm that a local recycling center accepts the material in its current condition.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
How to Prepare
- 1Flatten boxes to save space
- 2Remove any plastic liner bags (like the inner bag in a cereal box)
- 3Keep dry and clean
Where to Recycle
- Curbside recycling
- Recycling centers
Environmental Impact
Recycling paperboard saves trees and landfill space, and it's part of the same paper stream as cardboard and office paper.
Official guidance and resources
Accepted items and drop-off rules can vary by location. Check the destination before you go.
FAQs
Is a tissue box the same as tissue paper?
No. The paperboard tissue box is recyclable like any other paperboard. The facial tissue inside it is not recyclable anywhere, used or not, because its fibers are too short and it's made with wet-strength additives that don't break down the same way as regular paper.
Related recycling guides
- How to recycle Cardboard
- How to recycle Food-Soiled Paper & Cardboard
- How to recycle Aseptic Cartons (Tetra Pak)
- How to recycle Medical Packaging
- How to recycle Shredded Paper
- How to recycle Wrapping Paper
- How to recycle Paper Towels & Napkins
- How to recycle Junk Mail
- How to recycle Thermal Receipts
- How to recycle Paper Bags
Recycle paperboard
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