Recycling Q&A

You put your recycling in the bin and drop it at the curb. Then what happens? Does it actually get recycled? Yes! At paper mills across the country, recycled paper is used to make the essential products millions of people rely on.

During the holidays, our homes are filled with cards from family and friends, cardboard boxes from shopping online to find the right gift and wrapping materials to make sure it’s a surprise. Many of these items are recycled at paper mills across the country but some are not. 

Let’s do a quick survey – how many trash bins do you have in your home? Now, how many recycling bins do you have? Odds are, one of these numbers is greater than the other. Why is that? You’re likely throwing away paper products or packaging that can be recycled.  

Many of us have a pile somewhere in our homes where we stack our mail. Bills, advertisements, magazines and catalogs, a card and maybe an exciting online purchase that came in a box or padded envelope. With some of these items, you may be wondering if it is okay to toss them in your recycling bin.

Is this cardboard box recyclable? YES, cardboard is built to be recycled. In fact, cardboard packaging can be recycled 5 to 7 times! Here’s how to do it right.