How to Recycle Cardboard: Best Approaches for Businesses

Cardboard recycling is one of the quickest wins for improving sustainability and cutting waste costs. If you’ve ever wondered how to recycle cardboard efficiently in a commercial or industrial setting, the process is simpler and more effective than you might think. Recycling even one ton of cardboard conserves 17 trees, lowers disposal expenses, and helps your business operate more responsibly.

Cardboard is also one of the most marketable scrap materials, which means your business can capture real value from handling it the right way. Below are the most effective approaches to help you get the best results from your cardboard recycling program.

1. Collect and Separate Materials Correctly

How you collect scrap materials significantly impacts their value. Comingled recyclables often require extra sorting, reduce the grade of the material, or increase downstream labor.

To maximize efficiency:

• Separate cardboard (OCC) at the point of generation. If your business receives goods in cardboard boxes, set up a system to collect them immediately.
• Know what materials can be collected together. Kraft bags and OCC, for example, are generally acceptable as a single stream.
• Partner with your recycler. Working with iSustain Recycling ensures your material is being collected in the most efficient and profitable way.

2. Keep Your Cardboard Clean

Cardboard becomes contaminated easily, which reduces its recyclability and value.

Common contaminants include:

• Food waste
• Grease or oils
• Powders
• Product residue
• Excess tape or labels

While small amounts of contamination may be acceptable, too much can cause a recycler to downgrade or reject your load. To avoid this, keep heavily soiled cardboard separate from your clean stream and confirm acceptable contamination levels with iSustain before sending material out.

3. Avoid Wet Cardboard Whenever Possible

Cardboard’s value comes from the strength of its fibers. Once wet, those fibers weaken and become prone to tearing or disintegrating.

To prevent moisture issues:

• Avoid storing cardboard outside or in damp areas.
• Keep cardboard away from leaks, washdowns, or open doors during rainy weather.
• If cardboard does get wet, keep it separate and allow it to dry before baling, when possible.

Moisture is one of the primary reasons loads get downgraded, so prevention is key.

4. Increase Density to Reduce Transport Costs

Transportation is often the most expensive part of recycling. The denser your load, the more value you capture.

Baling is the gold standard for densifying cardboard. If your facility cannot bale material on-site, iSustain can help determine the next-best densification solution or provide guidance on improving storage and collection.

For facilities needing reliable supplies for processing cardboard, iSustain offers Gaylord boxes, super sacks, bale ties, and other packaging supplies to support a fully integrated recycling setup.

5. Check Bale Weights to Maximize Efficiency

If you bale cardboard, check bale weights regularly. Consistent bale weights help ensure:

• Correct compaction
• Efficient transportation
• Stronger load integrity
• Better market pricing

Each baler has its own specifications, so establish target weights and adjust as needed.

6. Bale Whole Boxes When Possible

This tip surprises many people: Whole boxes bale better than flattened ones in most industrial setups.

Why?

• Whole boxes interlock and provide more structural integrity.
• Flattened cardboard tends to slip and may cause a bale to “shear” or break apart.
• Keeping boxes whole increases density and improves bale stability.

Your specific material mix may vary, but as a general rule, whole boxes produce cleaner, more stable bales.

7. Avoid "Football Bales"

“Football bales” occur when too much material is loaded into the center of the baler, causing a bulge in the middle and weak edges.

Problems caused by football bales include:

• Lower-quality bale structure
• Higher likelihood of material slipping loose
• Reduced bale value
• Higher risk of load failure

To avoid this, distribute cardboard evenly across each layer.

Additional Best Practices for Better Cardboard Recycling

To further improve your cardboard recycling program, consider these enhancements:

• Training Your Team: Clear signage and simple instructions help reduce contamination and improve collection.
• Optimizing Collection Points: Place bins where cardboard is generated — shipping docks, packing stations, receiving areas.
• Conducting Program Audits: Track contamination, bale weights, and diversion rates for ongoing improvement.
• Using the Right Supplies: Whether you need super sacks, Gaylord boxes, or bale ties, iSustain offers a full suite of recycling supplies to support your operation’s needs.

For additional data on the benefits of well-managed cardboard recycling programs, the EPA’s recycling statistics are a trusted resource.

FAQs: How to Recycle Cardboard in Commercial Settings

What types of cardboard can be recycled?

Most corrugated cardboard (OCC) can be recycled. Wax-coated or heavily contaminated cardboard is typically not accepted.

Can wet cardboard be recycled?

Mildly damp cardboard may be salvageable, but soaked or structurally weakened cardboard should be separated.

Do I need a baler to recycle cardboard?

Not always. Smaller facilities may rely on cages or compactors. High-volume operations benefit most from baling.

How can businesses get the most value from cardboard recycling?

Keep the material clean, dry, and dense. Use proper supplies like Gaylords and bale ties and work with an experienced recycling partner.

Partner with iSustain for a Stronger Cardboard Recycling Process

These are just a few of the best approaches your business can use to recycle cardboard more effectively. Every facility is unique, which is why iSustain designs customized programs to increase material value, reduce transportation costs, and streamline operations.

If you want help improving your cardboard recycling process or establishing a more efficient system, contact iSustain Recycling today.