Your Easy Guide to Paper & Cardboard Recycling
Ready to help our planet? Recycling paper and cardboard is an easy way you can save trees and keep forests green. When we sort correctly, we stop waste and give materials a second life. Let’s work together to make a difference by keeping our bins clean and our earth thriving.
Common Categories of Paper & Cardboard
Not all paper products are created equal. Understanding which items belong in your bin ensures that your recycling efforts actually make a difference.
Office Paper
High-quality white paper, envelopes (with or without windows), and direct mail are highly recyclable and valuable.
Newspapers
Regular newspapers are easily processed. Keep them dry and remove any rubber bands or plastic bags before recycling.
Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard boxes must be flattened. Remove heavy packing tape and any items inside before recycling.
Paper Packaging
Thin cardboard items like cereal boxes, shoe boxes, and empty paper towel rolls are usually accepted. Make sure they are clean and free of food or grease.
Non-Recyclables
Items that cannot be recycled include greasy pizza boxes, wax-coated coffee cups, paper towels, and shredded paper.
Preparing Paper & Cardboard for Recycling
01
Sort Your Materials
Start by separating paper from cardboard. Some programs accept mixed paper, but certain recycling centers may ask you to keep clean office paper separate for higher-quality recycling.
02
Clean and Dry
Make sure all items are clean and dry. Grease or food on items like pizza boxes can ruin other paper recyclables. Remove any plastic liners and leftover food before recycling.
03
Flatten and Bundle
Flatten cardboard boxes to save space in the bin and during transport. If you have a lot, you can tie them together with paper twine if your local recycling service allows it.
04
Remove Non-Paper Items
Remove large amounts of tape, plastic labels, and metal staples. Small amounts are usually okay, but taking them off helps improve the quality of recycled materials.
Where to Recycle Paper & Cardboard
Most people can use curbside pickup, which is the easiest way to recycle everyday paper and cardboard. For larger amounts or items not accepted curbside, recycling centers or community collection programs are good options. Make sure everything is clean and sorted correctly before recycling.
Important: Always check your local recycling rules. In the U.S. Pacific region, guidelines can vary by county and city.
Do's
Avoid These Common Recycling Mistakes
Don'ts
✓ Flatten Everything
Break down cardboard boxes and flatten paper packaging to save space in bins and sorting facilities.
✗ No Greasy Pizza Boxes
Oil and food residue ruin the recycling process. If the bottom is greasy, tear it off and recycle only the clean top.
✓ Keep It Dry
Only recycle dry paper. Wet paper fibers are weakened and can cause large batches of recycling to be rejected.
✗ No Wish-cycling
Don't just hope it's recyclable. Items like paper towels or wax-coated cups belong in the trash to avoid contamination.
✓ Remove Inner Packaging
Extract plastic liners, bubble wrap, or styrofoam from cardboard boxes before putting the cardboard in the bin.
✗ No Shredded Paper (Usually)
Small bits of paper often fall through sorting machines. Check local rules; many centers prefer shredded paper composted.
An Important Note on Local Rules
Recycling guidelines can vary depending on your local program. To ensure you are recycling correctly, always check your community's official rules on your city's waste management website or local sanitation page.
- [your city] recycling guide
- What can I recycle in [your city]?
- [your city] waste management recycling rules