The Cardboard Recycling Process
In the world of business, the cardboard trail is everywhere. From the cardboard boxes that package our office equipment, to the boxes used for shipping, the presence of this widely recycled material is undeniable.
But for businesses striving for sustainability, understanding the journey of this cardboard waste becomes essential. Let’s unravel the intricate cardboard recycling process that helps businesses contribute to a greener planet.
How Is Cardboard Recycled: 6 Steps
The Corporate Collection
Every office or business establishment generates a significant amount of cardboard waste, be it from office supplies, canteen goods, or other essentials. Ensuring that this waste goes into the correct recycling bin is the first step. Specialised waste management firms often partner with businesses to provide dedicated bins and regular collection schedules, focusing solely on cardboard and related paper products.
Ensuring Purity of Cardboard Waste
The effectiveness of recycling is largely dependent on the purity of the collected materials. It’s crucial that foreign materials like plastic wrappers, staples, or tape are removed from the cardboard. Additionally, while pizza boxes might be a common sight in company canteens, it’s essential to note that these, when soiled with grease or leftover food, can pose challenges in recycling.
Transportation to Recycling Facilities
Post collection, the cardboard waste from businesses is transported to specialised recycling facilities. Here, different types of cardboard, like corrugated cardboard and lighter cardboard from cereal boxes, are sorted for the specific recycling process they’ll undergo.
Breaking Down and Processing
At these facilities, the cardboard is shredded into small wood chips. These chips are then mixed with water, creating a pulp. This pulp is essential in filtering out any remaining foreign materials and forming the base for recycled paper and cardboard.
Forming New Cardboard and Paper Products
The clean pulp undergoes a transformation where it’s dried and pressed, eventually forming sheets of recycled paper and cardboard. These can then be fashioned into new cardboard boxes or various paper products, ready for another cycle of use in the business world.
Back to Business
The renewed recycled paper and cardboard products find their way back into the commercial ecosystem. Whether it’s for packaging, note-making, or again as a cereal box in the company canteen, the cycle continues, showcasing the effectiveness of recycling paper and cardboard in a commercial setting.
Cardboard, being one of the most widely recycled materials, has a vast potential for businesses to make a positive environmental impact. By understanding and participating in the cardboard recycling process, companies not only reduce their footprint but also reinforce their commitment to sustainability in the eyes of their stakeholders and customers.
At Bailey’s Skip Hire & Recycling we specialise in cardboard recycling for businesses across Northamptonshire. Get in touch today to book your collection for all volumes of cardboard waste. As a local recycling and skip hire company, we help businesses across the area deal with waste sustainably and efficiently. Our team can collect and recycle various types of waste such as cardboard packaging, newspapers, and magazines.
