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Holiday Recycling Guide: Here's How to Recycle Cardboard Boxes
Learn what to do with the influx of cardboard boxes left in the wake of Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the rest of holiday season online shopping.Byline: BTB Editor
December 4, 2024 / Time to read: 4 minutesDealing with an avalanche of boxes? Well, you’re not alone. According to
So what should you do with all those
Household Waste Surges During the Holidays
Between all the shopping, decorating, eating, drinking and gift-giving, U.S. households produce an estimated
And, considering paper and cardboard make up the
The Environmental Impact of Recycling Cardboard
Recycling cardboard keeps a significant amount of unnecessary waste out of landfills, which
Curious where all that recycled cardboard goes?
Cardboard Recycling Tips for the Holidays
Thankfully, much of your festive waste can be reduced, reused or recycled. Follow these tips to reduce your cardboard waste and recycle right.
Do:
- Use less cardboard
Choose loose products over pre-packaged goods, consider buying used gifts, and order online deliveries in bulk to eliminate the need for more cardboard boxes. And rather than use gift boxes, consider wrapping the shipping box instead. - Reuse gift bags and bows
Only glitter-free, non-laminated paper materials — like gift boxes, wrapping paper and envelopes — are recyclable. Considersaving and reusing materials like fancy bags, cellophane wrappers and glossy bows. - Recycle cardboard and paper boxes
Most cardboard and paper boxes can be recycled. These include moving boxes, food boxes, shipping boxes, plain gift boxes and envelopes. - Separate and flatten boxes
Make sure to separate and break down boxes before placing them in your recycling cart. This allows for more efficient space usage. - Remove shipping labels, tape and extra packing material
Remove anything inside or on your boxes before placing them in your recycling cart. Most curbside recycling programs can’t process bubble wrap, cellophane, air pillows, plastic films,plastic bags or foam packaging. You can take eligible items to designated recycling drop-off locations like grocery stores.
Don't:
- Leave plastic film or windows
While most cardboard boxes can be recycled, you'll want to remove any plastic film or windows before you break them down. - Recycle wet or dirty food containers
Remember, all recyclables must beempty, clean and dry before they go into the bin. - Recycle coated paper containers, used paper plates or paper to-go cups.
If you're fueling your online shopping sprees with takeout, make sure to put these coated items in your trash bin. - Put recyclables in bags or boxes or nest smaller boxes inside larger ones
Recycling should always stay separated and loose.
Recycle Cardboard Properly for a More Sustainable Season
As online shopping remains a stalwart of the holiday season, so does the importance of recycling cardboard boxes and other packaging materials. By adopting efficient cardboard recycling habits — especially this time of year — you can pave the way for a more sustainable future.
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