How Cardboard Packaging Is Recycled After Use
How Your Cardboard Packaging Is Recycled After Use.
Kerbside Collection and Sorting
Used cardboard packaging products are collected as part of your standard kerbside collection and taken to a materials recovery facility (MRF) where they are sorted manually and by machine. Products are then separated from other materials such as glass, plastic packaging and metal containers and taken to be processed further.
Removing Contaminants
Any staples, tape, etc. are removed from the packaging before it is pulped, as well as any food residue. Items like greasy pizza boxes are not suitable for recycling and will be sent to landfill as they cannot be cleaned to separate the grease from the fibres.
Pulping
Cleaned and collected cardboard packaging is then delivered to a recycling facility where it is shredded and then mixed with large quantities of water to form a soup-like liquid called pulp. For Cardboard Packaging, visit https://capscases.co.uk/services-2/sustainable-cardboard-packaging/.
Cleaning and Screening the Pulp
The pulp is then run through fine screens in order to pick up any last bits of contamination: plastic films, staples, odd bits of paper etc. Centrifuges are also used to pick up the heavier contaminants. The pulp is then assessed for quality. Recycled fibres are generally shorter than virgin fibres, which makes them weaker. As a result many mills will mix some virgin fibres into the pulp to increase strength.
Reforming Into New Board
The cleaned pulp is then spread on moving wire-meshes, pressed to release excess water and then dried by heated rollers. More information on the cardboard packaging recycling process shows that the final stage of the recycling process is extremely energy-intensive, so it is very important to make sure that all of the earlier stages are carried out correctly and that all of the cardboard packaging that you have used is clean, dry and free from contamination before it is put in the recycling bin.
The whole recycling chain works better if all the cardboard packaging has been kept clean and dry and is free from contamination.
