In the United States, approximately 80% of products sold are packaged in cardboard. But sadly, 859 million tons of cardboard and paper are thrown into landfills each year. If you are a business owner, then you also probably generate a lot of cardboard waste each year. If your office cardboard goes into the landfill instead of into an office recycling program, you could be missing out on opportunities to save on your waste bill as well as a chance to make an environmental difference. Consider these best practices for cardboard office recycling.

Why It’s Important To Break Down Recycling

Breaking down cardboard recycling is important for a number of reasons. It can save on recycling costs and expenses. Cardboard that isn’t broken down takes up more space in the recycling bins and in the office recycling pickup trucks. This could increase the number of pickups required, costing you more in fees. When you don’t break down recycling properly or organize it within bins efficiently, your waste vendor may increase your recurring waste bill, leading to more expenses instead of savings. 

The Process for Breaking Down Cardboard

To break down cardboard to take up the least amount of space, first, run a box cutter along the seams holding it together, and slice through the packing tape. Repeat this as necessary to free up any area held together by tape. Then, pull all four flaps straight up. Finally, push or twist until the box collapses in itself and is flattened and ready to be stacked in a recycling container. 

Office recycling is an important part of taking care of the planet. If your office currently does not recycle or you are looking for more efficient ways to recycle, Mission Recycle can help. Call us today for more information.