How to Recycle Cardboard

Two types of cardboard can be recycled: flat cardboard, which is typically used in cereal and shoe boxes, and corrugated cardboard, which has a ruffled layer between the two flat pieces of cardboard and is often used in packing boxes. Both can usually be recycled through your local curbside recycling program.

Instructions

• 1

  Contact your local curbside recycling program to see if it will accept corrugated and flat cardboard.

• 2

  Break down all cardboard boxes so that they are flat and in a stack. Depending on your community's recycling program, you may have to break cardboard down so that it fits into a brown paper bag, or you might have to recycle it with your mixed paper.

• 3

  Take cardboard boxes to your local supermarket if your community curbside recycling program does not accept one or both types of cardboard. Most supermarkets will take boxes.

• 4

  See if your local recycling program will recycle waxed cardboard (milk and juice cartons) at the curbside. If not, your community may have a drop-off center for waxed cardboard. Call (800) CLEANUP for state recycling information.

• 5

  Call the Corrugated Packaging Council for more information about recycling corrugated cardboard in your area at [phone].

• 6

  Check with your county's department of public works to find out about local curbside recycling programs and community drop-off centers, or look under "Recycling" in the Yellow Pages.