| The amount of waste we produce on a yearly basis | | | | Pet bedding |
| is on the increase and sending all this waste to landfill | | | | Toilet roll holders |
| sites is no longer a viable option. Apart from the | | | | The cardboard recycling process |
| obvious fact that landfill takes up a lot of space and | | | | The process of recycling cardboard involves soaking |
| we will soon run out of space, landfills are not | | | | the cardboard in water and stirring it until it has |
| pleasant places. They give off nasty odours, | | | | broken down into individual fibres. Each time |
| contribute to the amount of greenhouse gases being | | | | cardboard is recycled the fibres get a bit longer but |
| released into the atmosphere and if the leak they | | | | cardboard can still be recycled several times before |
| can contaminate the surrounding earth and | | | | the fibres break down completely. |
| waterways posing a health risk. | | | | The cardboard is then cleaned and any contaminants |
| Fortunately, more and more people are waking up to | | | | like ink, bits of sticky tape and metal clips are |
| the idea of recycling and are making a bigger effort | | | | removed. After cleaning, the pulp is then ready for |
| to dispose of their waste in a more environmentally | | | | draining and drying and rolling into sheets which |
| friendly way, but collectively, are we doing enough. | | | | removes any final traces of moisture and binds the |
| The simple answer is no we are not, because there | | | | fibres together to make the cardboard. The recycled |
| is still an unacceptable amount of waste reaching | | | | cardboard is now ready to make into new cardboard |
| landfill sites each year. For example, approximately 5 | | | | boxes and packaging. |
| million tonnes of waste paper and cardboard is still | | | | Disposing of cardboard waste, Reduce Reuse |
| being sent to landfill in the UK alone, which is totally | | | | Recycle |
| unnecessary, particularly as it is a relatively easy | | | | The first step in any recycling process is to reduce |
| process to recycle cardboard and paper, and it uses | | | | the amount of waste produced in the first place so |
| less resources and energy than it does to produce | | | | try to purchase goods with a minimum amount of |
| new cardboard and paper from scratch. | | | | packaging. When buying larger items, some firms and |
| Why recycle cardboard | | | | manufacturers will take back the boxes and |
| As cardboard is used extensively for packaging it is | | | | packaging so check to see if this is an option. |
| absolutely everywhere and can make up a large | | | | The second step in the recycling process is to reuse |
| proportion of household waste, in fact cardboard and | | | | or find another purpose for as much waste as |
| paper can make up between a quarter and a half of | | | | possible and cardboard is no different. For example |
| a all household waste produced each year. Imagine | | | | you could use cardboard boxes of all sizes for |
| the amount of landfill space that would involve. | | | | storage. Other options include shredding your waste |
| Cardboard is made from cellulose fibres, often wood | | | | cardboard and using it for pet bedding or putting it |
| pulp, which means that in order to make virgin | | | | into the compost heap. There are also other creative |
| cardboard, it is necessary to chop down new trees, | | | | uses including using old egg cartons as seed trays or |
| which also leads to the destruction of the surrounding | | | | egg cartons, cereal boxes and toilet roll holders as |
| habitat and wildlife too. Recycling cardboard minimises | | | | equipment for children's craft activities. Perhaps a |
| the amount of trees that need to be felled and also | | | | nearby school or nursery would welcome a donation |
| saves on energy and water as well as reduces the | | | | of these items, so it might be worth asking. |
| amount of paper and cardboard ending up in landfill | | | | The final stage in the recycling process is to dispose |
| sites. | | | | of the waste in the most environmentally friendly |
| As cardboard is biodegradable, it will produce the | | | | way possible. Many kerbside collections will take |
| greenhouse gas Methane as it is breaking down so if | | | | cardboard waste now but if they don't, find out |
| it ends up in landfill it will increase the amount of | | | | where the nearest recycling centre is and take your |
| Methane being released into the atmosphere and | | | | waste cardboard there. Before depositing your |
| contribute to global warming as well as take up | | | | cardboard check to see what types the recycling |
| unnecessary space. | | | | centre will take and if it needs to be sorted first. In |
| The types of cardboard packaging that can easily be | | | | any event, before depositing it, flatten the cardboard |
| recycled include: | | | | as much as possible and try to remove any obvious |
| Egg containers | | | | contaminants. |
| Cereal cartons | | | | If everyone did a bit more then we could all benefit |
| Boxes of all sizes | | | | from a healthier environment and help preserve the |
| Stationery | | | | earth's resources for future generations. |
| Christmas cards | | | | |