Recycling Cardboard: Why It Matters for Businesses and Households

Cardboard is everywhere – from cereal boxes and egg cartons to cardboard boxes that arrive on our doorstep. We use it for packaging food, protecting deliveries, and even for office paper filing and storage. But while it feels abundant, the reality is that cardboard waste is only sustainable if it’s properly managed through cardboard recycling.

By making the effort to recycle, we conserve valuable resources, reduce landfill waste, and keep recyclable items in use longer.

The Benefits of Paper and Cardboard Recycling

Paper and cardboard recycling is one of the most effective ways of reducing waste to cut down on environmental degradation. According to the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR):

• Recycling one tonne of paper and cardboard saves up to 31 trees
• It also saves 4,000 kWh of energy, 270 litres of oil, and 26,000 litres of water
• Diverting one tonne of cardboard from landfill saves five cubic metres of space

In short, when businesses and households recycle paper and cardboard, the impact is enormous. Recycling also reduces the need for virgin materials like timber, water, and fossil fuels, helping conserve natural resources for future generations.

Cardboard Recycling Saves Money Too

It’s not just good for the environment – cardboard recycling is cost-effective. Producing cardboard from recycled sources requires around 25% less energy compared to using virgin raw materials.

In many states, it’s also cheaper to recycle than to landfill. A study cited by Sustainability Matters found that landfill disposal of one tonne of solid waste costs around $150. By choosing a professional recycling service, businesses can cut their disposal bills while supporting the environment.

Recycling Cardboard in South Australia

The recycling facilities in South Australia are well developed, with licensed handlers able to process large volumes of paper waste and cardboard. According to government data:

• Around 75% of SA’s paper and cardboard is recycled
• The remaining 25% still ends up in landfill
• Most of SA’s 71 landfills are small, so minimising landfill waste extends their life

With growing demand for sustainable recycling services, councils and providers are expanding bin collection systems, making it easier for both households and businesses to dispose of cardboard items responsibly.

Common Cardboard and Paper Items That Can Be Recycled

Many people don’t realise just how many everyday products belong in the recycling bin. Examples include:

• Cardboard boxes from deliveries
• Cereal boxes and food packaging (remove liners)
• Egg cartons
• Office paper, envelopes, and phone books
• Toilet paper rolls and paper towel cores
• Cardboard waste from shipping and business storage

These recyclable items should never go in with general waste – instead, they belong in a clearly labelled recycling bin provided by your council or a private recycling service.

What to Avoid Putting in the Cardboard Recycling Bin

While most paper and cardboard is recyclable, some materials can contaminate the stream. Items to keep out of the recycling bin include:

• Soft plastics like cling wrap or a plastic bag
• Bubble wrap or polystyrene
• Food-soiled containers, such as greasy pizza boxes
• Wax-coated or laminated cardboard items
• Hazardous waste or chemicals

Keeping these separate ensures that recycling facilities can process clean, usable paper fibres into new products.

Recycling Cardboard Helps Reduce Landfill Waste

By separating paper waste and cardboard into bins rather than mixing them with general waste, businesses and households help to:

• Conserve landfill space
• Create new products like toilet paper, packaging, and stationery
• Cut down on greenhouse gases from decomposing landfill waste
• Support a healthier circular economy where materials are continuously reused

This is why councils and waste providers place such importance on bin collection and clear labelling for recyclable items.

Signal Waste & Recycling – Adelaide’s Recycling Service of Choice

Signal Waste & Recycling makes it easy for Adelaide businesses to handle paper and cardboard recycling. We provide:

• Clearly labelled bins for cardboard recycling and other recyclable items
• Reliable bin collection schedules across Adelaide and SA
• Tailored recycling services for businesses with large volumes of cardboard waste
• Competitive pricing to ensure recycling is affordable compared to landfill

Whether you’re a small business needing extra bins for office paper, or a large site managing bulk cardboard items, our team is ready to help you reduce landfill waste and support a more sustainable future.

Call us today on 08 8162 5544 to arrange a cardboard collection service that saves resources – and supports your bottom line.

FAQs on Recycling Cardboard

What cardboard items can be recycled?

Most cardboard boxes, egg cartons, cereal boxes, and office paper can go straight into the recycling bin.

Can I recycle cardboard packaging with food on it?

Food-contaminated cardboard items (like oily pizza boxes) should be placed in general waste or composted, as they contaminate clean paper fibres.

Is cardboard recycling cheaper than landfill?

Yes – in many areas, using a recycling service is less expensive than paying landfill disposal fees.

Can businesses book regular bin collection for cardboard recycling?

Absolutely. Providers like Signal Waste & Recycling offer scheduled bin collection services for bulk paper and cardboard recycling.

What products are made from recycled paper and cardboard?

Recycled fibres are used to make toilet paper, stationery, packaging, and even new cardboard boxes.