The Cardboard Recycling Process - News

2017-08-30

The Cardboard Recycling Process

Cardboard, also known as corrugated cardboard, is a recyclable material that is often recycled by businesses in order to save money on the costs of waste disposal. Cardboard recycling involves reprocessing and reusing thick sheets or multilayered papers that have been discarded.

Recycling cardboard is ideal because it helps to keep the environment clean and green. Here is a brief overview of the cardboard recycling process.

Collection

The first step in the cardboard recycling process is the collection of the boxes. As a business, there are multiple steps involved in the collections process. First, cardboard boxes need to be collected from the different departments within your company or office. These boxes should then be stored in a central location that will allow them to be compiled and transported to a recycling facility.

The boxes will also need to be separated based on what type of materials they contain. For example, many recycling facilities do not accept cardboard that has been waxed or coated, as well as, cardboard that has been used for the packaging of food.

Sorting

Once the boxes arrive at the recycling facility, corrugated cardboard is separated from boxboard. Boxboard is thin and is used for thin containers while corrugated boxes are stiffer and are used for packaging goods for transport. After the sorting is complete, the cardboard is then baled using machines such as a cardboard baler to compress the boxes into compact bales that make them easier to handle.

Pulping

The next step is shredding and pulping which is done in order to break the cardboard paper fibres down. The shredded cardboard is then mixed with water and chemicals. This process is called pulping and the pulped material is then blended with another pulp, commonly made from wood chips, to help make the pulp more solid.

Filtering and De-Inking

At this stage, the pulp still contains some foreign objects. Glue and tape are the most commonly found foreign objects and are removed by using filters. Then the colour is also removed from the pulp by using a flotation device containing decolourisation chemicals.

Finishing

During the final finishing stage, the cleaned pulp is laid to dry on a flat conveyor belt and formed into long rolls of solid sheet, forming fibres called linerboards and mediums. These linerboards and mediums can then be further processed in order to form new pieces of cardboard.

Additionally, the linerboards and mediums can be sent to boxboard manufacturers who will complete the manufacturing process with the use of machines to create boxes for packaging and transporting goods.

Request a Free Quote

If you have questions about our cardboard recycling options or you would like to request a quote, contact Orwak today on (03) 8792 9777.