Recycling Cardboard 101

By Nancy K. Crevier

To the uneducated recycler, one piece of cardboard looks like another. But only corrugated cardboard is accepted at any of the transfer stations operated in the 11 towns, including Newtown, that are part of the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority(HRRA).

Corrugated cardboard is double-walled cardboard commonly used in shipping containers. In 2006, HRRA residents recycled 1,254 tons of corrugated cardboard. That is a lot of boxes. But what about the other cardboard boxes — the shoeboxes, the pizza boxes, gift boxes, and cereal boxes? What sets them aside and makes them not recyclable in this region?

Collectively known as chipboard, boxboard, or paperboard, these thin cardboard containers are not recycled for a couple of reasons, said Cheryl D. Reedy, director of HRRA.

“The markets for this type of material is not nearly as good as for paper and cardboard, so the economics of collection and processing are not what we’d like,” Ms Reedy explained. More importantly, though, is the fact that the processing center for recycling in the Danbury region is constrained for space, she said. “We can’t add any items to our current curbside collection because of that.”

Corrugated cardboard is recycled into a number of products used every day. New boxes, gypsum wallboard liner, roofing felt, Kraft paper, the tubes inside of paper towels and toilet tissue are just a few of the common reincarnations for corrugated cardboard. More creatively, corrugated cardboard finds new life as laptop cases, purses, furniture, and even lamps.

In many cases already a recycled product itself, boxboard’s uses are fewer. It may become “new” boxboard, or be used to make puzzle pieces or egg cartons. In Canada, recycled boxboard has been approved for use as bedding material in parks.

The HRRA is exploring possible options to add boxboard and a few other mixed paper items to the curbside collection mix when the current contract with Intermediate Processing Center expires in 2011, said Ms Reedy.

“We hope to be able to [add these items] at that time, assuming that the markets have not gotten any worse,” she said.

For now, HRRA residents must bite the bullet and wait until local transfer stations are able to accept boxboard for recycling. But reducing and reusing remain viable options of the “three Rs” taught to recyclers (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). Buying in bulk reduces the need for boxboard packaging in grocery items such as pasta, grains, and cereal. Cereals that are packaged only in cellophane bags cut back on outer boxboard packaging that cannot presently be recycled. Reconsider if that present needs to be placed in a gift box before it is wrapped. Reuse those shoeboxes for storage or craft projects.

It may seem a tiny step, but any step in recycling is a step in the right direction, said Ms Reedy.