How to Recycle Carton Boxes

Carton boxes carry a wide range of products, from produce in waxed cartons to computers in reinforced cartons. Most areas offer recycling programs and provide detailed guidelines for box recycling. Depending on location, residential sanitation companies pick up recycling, recycling drop-off centers offer the convenience of recycling in the parking lot of grocery stores and county dumps or designated recycling facilities accept a wide range of recyclables, including carton boxes in flat, waxed or corrugated cardboard. The Charleston County, South Carolina Environmental Management website points out that recycling cardboard saves money, saves trees and reduces pollution.

Things You'll Need

• Box cutter or utility knife
• String or cord

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Instructions

• 1

  Contact your local waste collection service if you have curbside recycling or visit their website. Many services will send out a brochure with full information on what items they accept for recycling and if any preparation is required.

• 2

  Check the collection service's rules for carton-box recycling on the website or when you receive the brochure. For example, some collection services will pick up entire cardboard boxes (not broken down), other services will require them flattened and some may require them to be folded and bundled in a bag or box. Some collectors will pick them up if you place the cartons next the waste bins; others will only take them if you place the cartons in the bins.

• 3

  Call your recycling center for information on dropping off cartons for recycling. Note their hours of operation and ask if the boxes have to be flattened or bundled.

• 4

  Select clean cartons for recycling. Some facilities can't accept wet boxes or cartons with grease or food residue. Most recycling programs accept all forms of clean cardboard, including egg cartons, cereal boxes, shipping boxes and all forms of product carton boxes, waxed or not.

• 5

  Prepare the cartons for recycling. To flatten cartons, upend the carton and slit the tape on the bottom seam with a box cutter or utility knife. Straighten the flaps from the bottom and the top of the box. Collapse the box by pushing down on it with your hands or stepping on it. Fold the box lengthwise at its corner creases if you want to make it smaller.

• 6

  Cut large cartons down with a utility knife. Cut them along one corner crease from top to bottom, keeping your fingers out of the blade's path. Cut the box into two to four pieces so that the flat pieces of cardboard are easier to fold.

• 7

  Tie large bundles of flattened cardboard cartons with string or cord for easier handling.

• 8

  Store cardboard by folding the flattened cartons and placing them in the largest intact box. Keep the box in a dry location near your trash bins, such as in a garage or shed, so they're ready to take out on collection day or to drop off at a recycling center.