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Cardboard Recycling: What Can and Can’t Go In

Cardboard is one of the easiest and most valuable materials to recycle. But if the wrong items end up in your recycling bin, it can contaminate the load and send everything to landfill. This guide explains what you should — and shouldn’t — put in your cardboard recycling bin, plus best practices for homes and businesses.

✅ What Can Go in the Cardboard Recycling Bin

  • Clean cardboard boxes – shipping cartons, moving boxes, packaging

  • Cereal boxes and other paperboard packaging – remove plastic liners first

  • Office and stationery packaging – file boxes, envelopes without plastic windows

  • Toilet roll and paper towel tubes

  • Flattened cardboard sheets – always flatten to save space and improve collection

❌ What Can’t Go in the Cardboard Recycling Bin

  • Food-contaminated cardboard – greasy pizza boxes, takeaway packaging, stained paper plates

  • Wet or soggy cardboard – water damages the fibres and prevents recycling

  • Waxed or plastic-coated cardboard – e.g. juice cartons, freezer boxes, coffee cups

  • Cardboard with heavy tape or plastic wrap – remove these before recycling

  • Shredded paper or tiny scraps – too small for sorting machines

Household Tips

  • Flatten boxes before placing them in the bin

  • Remove any tape, staples, or plastic inserts where possible

  • Store cardboard indoors or under cover if rain is forecast — wet cardboard can’t be recycled

  • Never bag cardboard; place it loose in the bin

Business Cardboard Recycling

  • Provide clearly labelled cardboard-only bins in storage or packaging areas

  • Flatten and bundle large volumes to save space

  • For high-volume users (e.g. retail, hospitality, warehouses), consider a cardboard baler or compactor

  • Schedule regular collections to prevent overflow and contamination

Quick Reference

Accepted Not Accepted
Clean, dry cardboard Food-soiled boxes
Cereal boxes (liners removed) Wet or soggy cardboard
Toilet rolls, paperboard tubes Waxed or plastic-coated cardboard
Flattened cartons Shredded paper or small scraps

Best Practices Summary

  1. Only recycle clean, dry cardboard

  2. Flatten all boxes to save space

  3. Remove contamination—no food, grease, or plastic

  4. Businesses should use balers or collection services

Conclusion: Smarter Cardboard Recycling

Cardboard recycling is simple, effective, and cost-saving — when done right. By following the rules on what can and can’t go in your bin, you’ll reduce contamination, recycle more, and help create a cleaner recycling stream.

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Download Now: Free PDF Business Owners Guide To Cardboard Recycling Bin Services