Cardboard Illegal in Garbage & Drains IGB Lab Special Instructions Paper Recycling IGB LAB USERS ONLY: Place non-contaminated cardboard in the main blue recycling bins in the lab. Large boxes should be flattened and placed in East Wing hallways of floors 1 & 2 in the designated locations marked for “Empty Boxes” Small pieces and boxes can be disposed of in the paper recycling bin. Large boxes should be broken down and placed behind a waste station (see photo below). Flattening boxes signals to the custodians that the box SHOULD be recycled and won’t be reused. DO NOT leave boxes in hallways where they can be a trip hazard. If the cardboard is wet, soiled with food, or waxed (scratch it to see), please put it in the compost. Break Down Boxes It’s easier for sanitation workers to handle and sort boxes that are broken down. Make sure to break down your cardboard boxes. Clean Cardboard Only Do not recycle cardboard that is wet or contaminated by food residue, such as grease. You can recycle clean pieces of cardboard by cutting away the soiled pieces. Corrugated Cardboard Is Recyclable All types of cardboard can be recycled except if they’re coated in wax. Recycle corrugated cardboard when possible. Shiny or Glossy Cardboard Is Recyclable Shiny or glossy cardboard can be recycled, such as a toothpaste box. Waxed cardboard cannot be recycled, which you can identify by scratching off the wax. Did You Know? Going Flat: Good or Bad? Check out this short cartoon for a tip on how to recycle cardboard. Cardboard Recycling About 70 percent of commercial shipping boxes that are made out of cardboard will be recycled. To be recycled, boxes are first turned into pulp, and then the fibers are separated and bleached. After these fibers are screened, they are washed, pressed and then rolled into paper.