Key Takeaways
- Cardboard recycling transforms everyday packaging waste into reusable fiber, giving businesses a smarter, more sustainable way to manage materials.
- With market values commonly falling between $80 and $180 per ton, cardboard has become a recoverable asset with real financial upside.
- By working with Carlin Waste Recycling, you gain a strategic partner that helps you navigate the market, streamline operations, and unlock the full value of your recyclable materials. Get a quote now!
Cardboard recycling is a practical way for businesses to reduce costs and unlock new revenue from everyday waste. With cardboard used across shipping, packaging, and storage, most companies generate a steady stream of recyclable material.
In this guide, we’ll break down how cardboard recycling works, what materials qualify, how to prepare your waste, and most importantly, what your cardboard is actually worth today.
Let’s dive in!
What Is Cardboard Recycling?
Cardboard recycling is the process of collecting, sorting, and reprocessing used cardboard into new paper-based products. The material is broken down into fibers, cleaned, and reformed into items like new boxes, paperboard, and packaging materials.
For businesses, this process typically involves separating cardboard waste, baling it for transport, and selling it to recycling facilities or through a brokerage partner.
What Types of Cardboard Can Be Recycled?
The types of cardboard that can be recycled are:
- Corrugated cardboard: This kind is used for shipping boxes and bulk packaging and is one of the most widely accepted materials at recycling facilities.
- Paperboard: Includes everyday items like cereal boxes, shoe boxes, and product packaging.
- Clean pizza boxes: These can be recycled as long as they are free of grease and food residue.
- Cardboard tubes and cores: These include the rolls found inside paper towels and toilet paper.
- Folding cartons and lightweight packaging: A broad range of cardboard products you encounter in daily life.
What Types of Cardboard Cannot Be Recycled?
The types of cardboard that cannot be recycled are:
- Wax-coated or plastic-lined cardboard: The coating prevents the material from breaking down properly during the recycling process.
- Grease-soaked pizza boxes or food packaging: Once grease has soaked into the fibers, the cardboard cannot be processed alongside clean materials.
- Heavily contaminated cardboard: Cardboard exposed to oil, chemicals, or liquids should be thrown away.
- Cardboard mixed with non-paper materials: Foam or plastic inserts that have not been removed make the cardboard difficult or impossible to process.
- Wet or moldy cardboard: Moisture degrades the fibers, leaving the material too compromised.
What Are the Benefits of Cardboard Recycling for Businesses?
The benefits of cardboard recycling for businesses are:
- Reduced waste disposal costs and landfill fees.
- New revenue stream from selling recyclable material.
- Improved sustainability metrics and ESG performance.
- Better compliance with environmental regulations.
- More efficient waste management processes.
- Enhanced brand reputation with eco-conscious customers.
What Are the Challenges of Commercial Cardboard Recycling?
The challenges of commercial cardboard recycling are:
- Fluctuating market prices for recovered fiber.
- Contamination reduces material value.
- Storage space required for large volumes.
- Logistics and transportation coordination.
- Labor needed for sorting and preparation.
- Lack of visibility into real-time market demand.
Recycling one ton of cardboard saves over nine cubic yards of landfill space.
– Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
How Is Cardboard Recycled? The Step-by-Step Process
Cardboard is recycled through the following steps:
Collection and Transportation
Cardboard waste is gathered from businesses, warehouses, and retail locations, then transported to a recycling facility or material recovery facility.
Sorting and Grading
Once received, the cardboard is sorted by type and quality. Clean corrugated cardboard, known in the industry as OCC, is separated from lower-grade materials like mixed paperboard.
At this stage, recyclers also remove obvious contaminants such as plastic wrap, foam, or excessive tape.
Shredding and Pulping
After sorting, the cardboard is shredded into smaller pieces and mixed with water and chemicals to create a slurry known as pulp. This process breaks the material down into individual fibers, which are the building blocks for new paper products.
Cleaning and Filtering
The pulp is then cleaned to remove contaminants like adhesives, staples, inks, and coatings. The cleaner the pulp, the higher the quality of the final recycled product.
Screens, centrifugal cleaning systems, and other technologies are used to separate unwanted materials and improve fiber quality.
De-inking and Refining
During this stage, inks and dyes are removed from the pulp, and the fibers are further refined. This may involve additional washing, flotation processes, or mechanical treatment to improve fiber strength and consistency.
Sheet Formation and Drying
The cleaned pulp is spread onto large screens where water is drained away and the fibers begin to bond together to form sheets. These sheets are then pressed and dried using heated rollers, creating strong, flat layers of recycled paper material.
Manufacturing New Products
The recycled material is used to manufacture corrugated boxes, paperboard packaging, and other fiber-based products. These products can re-enter the supply chain, completing the recycling loop and reducing the need for virgin raw materials.
How Should Businesses Prepare Cardboard for Recycling?
To prepare cardboard for recycling, businesses should:
- Flatten all boxes to save space and improve handling.
- Remove plastic, foam, and non-paper materials.
- Keep cardboard dry and protected from the weather.
- Separate clean cardboard from contaminated waste.
- Bale large volumes for easier transport and higher value.
- Store material in a designated, organized area.
Clean and well-sorted cardboard is more likely to be recycled and delivers higher returns in the market.
– American Forest & Paper Association
How Much Is Cardboard Recycling Worth for Businesses?
Cardboard recycling for businesses is worth between $80 and $180 per ton in the United States according to Fastmarkets & RecyclingMarkets – depending on region, quality, and preparation method:
- Low-grade or mixed cardboard: $50–$90 per ton.
- Standard OCC (clean, sorted): $100–$150 per ton.
- High-quality baled OCC: $150–$180+ per ton.
What Factors Affect the Value of Recycled Cardboard?
The factors that affect the value of recycled cardboard are:
- Material quality and contamination levels.
- Baling vs. loose cardboard.
- Volume and consistency of supply.
- Regional demand and mill capacity.
- Transportation and logistics costs.
- Global paper and packaging market trends.
Partner with Carlin Waste Recycling to Sell Your Packaging Waste
Managing packaging recycling internally can quickly become time-consuming and inefficient, especially when you’re dealing with fluctuating prices, multiple vendors, and logistics coordination.
At Carlin Waste Recycling, we act as your dedicated brokerage partner, helping you turn packaging waste into a reliable revenue stream. We work closely with your team to understand your waste streams and identify ways to improve performance over time.
How Our Recycling Brokerage Process Works
At Carlin Waste Recycling, we simplified the process through a structured, four-step approach:
- Facility Audit & Operational Review. We assess your facility, waste streams, and logistics setup—either on-site or virtually—to get a complete picture of how materials are generated, handled, and stored.
- Material Testing & Market Evaluation. Each material is analyzed for quality and grade, then evaluated against current market demand to determine the most valuable and viable recycling outlets.
- Financial Impact & Cost Analysis. We provide a detailed breakdown of potential revenue, cost savings, and pricing structure, so you clearly understand the financial outcome before moving forward.
- Customized Plan & Execution Roadmap. You receive a tailored recycling plan that includes pricing, timelines, and operational details—designed for smooth implementation and long-term consistency.
Materials We Help You Sell
At Carlin Waste Recycling, we work with a wide range of recyclable materials, helping businesses maximize the value of multiple waste streams through a single, streamlined solution.
We support the sale of various plastic materials, including rigid plastics, film, and production scrap commonly generated in commercial and industrial operations.
We also work with industrial byproducts and surplus materials, allowing companies to recover value from items that might otherwise be overlooked.
Industries We Serve With Recycling Brokerage Solutions
- Manufacturing: We develop recycling programs that align with production speed, helping teams manage waste without interrupting output.
- Third-Party Logistics (3PL) & Distribution: We design recycling solutions that keep pace with your operation. With coordinated pickups and flexible scheduling, we help prevent material buildup and keep your facility organized.
- Foodservice Distributors: Foodservice operations require strict attention to sanitation and regulatory standards. We support this by managing the removal of packaging and plastic film through reliable, scheduled pickups.
- Small Commercial Recyclers: Smaller recyclers often face challenges when it comes to accessing stable markets and maximizing the value of their materials. We help simplify that process by connecting you with trusted buyers, improving logistics, and creating more consistent revenue opportunities.
Sell Your Plastic Scrap Today: Get a Quote From Carlin Recycling
If you’re generating plastic scrap, we’re here to help you turn that waste into real value. Instead of letting usable materials sit unused or getting locked into low pricing, you can work with us to access better markets and more competitive offers.
At Carlin Waste Recycling, we make it easy to get started. Get a quote today!
Cardboard Recycling FAQs
How Many Times Can Cardboard Be Recycled?
Cardboard can be recycled up to 5–7 times before the fibers become too short for reuse.
Does Wet Cardboard Affect Recycling Value?
Yes, wet cardboard does affect recycling value because moisture weakens fibers and increases contamination risk, often making the material unusable.
Is It Worth Baling Cardboard Before Selling It?
Yes, baling cardboard before selling it is worth it because it increases density, reduces transportation costs, and significantly improves market value.
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