The Process of Cardboard Recycling

Recycling cardboard is a streamlined process, repurposing used cardboard into new paper products. It saves energy, reduces pollution, and conserves resources, making it an environmentally beneficial practice.

The process begins with collection from curbside programs, businesses, and drop-off centers. Next, materials are sorted by type and quality. Contaminants such as plastic or metal are removed to ensure a pure recycling stream.

Cardboard is mixed with water and chemicals, breaking it down into fibers creating a slurry substance. This pulping process prepares it for blending with new or recycled paper fibers to produce new products.

The pulp is subjected to a cleaning process that removes impurities. De-inking involves a flotation process that uses soaps to wash away ink and adhesives, resulting in a cleaner fiber for high-quality paper products.

Once cleaned, the pulp is mixed, dried, and rolled into sheets. These sheets can be made into new cardboard or other paper materials. The process conserves up to 24% of the energy required for virgin paper.

Recycling cardboard can save 25% of the total energy needed for virgin cardboard production. It also conserves water and reduces landfill waste, with every ton of recycled cardboard saving about 9 cubic yards of landfill space.

Surprisingly, recycled cardboard is not limited to paper products. It's being used in novel ways, from construction materials to creating hydroponic growing systems, reflecting its versatility and sustainable potential.