Paper & Cardboard Recycling: What Works

Paper is one of the easiest materials to recycle — when it is clean and dry. Here is how the loop works.

Paper and cardboard are among the oldest recycling success stories. Fibres can be re-pulped and remade into new paper several times, which saves trees, water, and energy compared with making pulp from virgin wood.

What Counts

• Newspapers, magazines, office paper, and mail.
• Corrugated cardboard boxes and cartons.
• Paperboard (cereal boxes, shoe boxes) without heavy plastic coating.

How It Is Recycled

Collected paper is shredded and mixed with water into a slurry, then screened and de-inked. The clean fibre is pressed and dried into new paper or board. Each loop shortens the fibres a little, so recovered paper is often blended with some fresh fibre to keep strength.

The Contamination Problem

Grease-soaked pizza boxes, wax-coated cups, and plastic-lined cartons do not pulp cleanly and can spoil a batch. A single dirty item forces mills to landfill or burn otherwise good material. Keep paper dry and free of food.

Quick Tips

• Flatten boxes to save space in the bin.
• Keep paper out of the rain — wet fibre is weaker.
• Remove tape and staples where your city asks.
• Shred only what must be shredded; long fibres recycle better.

Related Reading

Compare with plastic recycling and metal recycling, and check any item's category with our Garbage Search.

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