7 Benefits of Recycling Cardboard Waste in Your Workplace

TLDR

If your business is looking to become more sustainable, why not save money while doing it? Looking at how you can recycle or reuse materials that would otherwise become waste can save businesses hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year. With the help of your employees, some creative ideas, and a good paper shredder you could turn leftover cardboard into a major money saver.

The Reason to Recycle

“Going Green” continues to be important in our society. Businesses are looking for different ways to reduce waste materials to hit quotas and goals. Sustainability has also become a key issue for customers when choosing which brand to shop with. If those aren’t reasons enough to start evaluating your waste output, what if you could save hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year by reusing and recycling?

Start with Cardboard Recycling

Getting rid of excess or toxic materials costs serious time and money. Focusing on how you can reduce, reuse, and recycle in your workflow can quickly pay for itself ten-fold. You don’t have to tackle everything at once. Making even one change can do wonders for your bottom line and the planet. Our favorite place to start is cardboard. This basic material is everywhere. A major part of daily operations, shipments, packaging, and storage all add cardboard to your waste bin. It can start to build up. Having a recycling plan can help turn this problem into an opportunity.

Ways to Recycle and Reuse Cardboard

One of the best and perhaps easiest ways to handle cardboard is with the help of a high-quality paper shredder. These machines don’t only help to keep your data secure. They can also process materials to be more easily recycled or give new life to the newly shredded form. Consider the following ways to reduce cardboard waste and how it might benefit your business in more ways than one.

1. Bale Cardboard for Recycling: Taking your excess cardboard to a recycling center is certainly the most straightforward solution. Not only will this cut down on your trash volume requiring less frequent removal but it can also earn you money.
   
   Many recycling facilities and other paper processing plants will pay for your cardboard, especially if it is baled. Shred your cardboard to get it ready for processing and they will handle the rest. This task may not only pay for itself but could lead to you turning a profit. Add a new income source for your company, save money on waste disposal, and make a positive impact on the planet by selling your baled cardboard.
2. Turn Cardboard into Void Fill: Eco-friendly void fill is becoming a hot topic these days. As packing peanuts and other packaging products fill our landfills with plastic and styrofoam there might be a solution right at your doorstep.
   
   Stop buying crinkly craft paper and bits of styrofoam to pad your shipments and instead use shredded cardboard. Using cardboard fill can save potentially hundreds of dollars on shipping supplies while reducing use of microplastics and other pollutants. This is a great way to buy some good faith with your customers by displaying that you care. You might even find you prefer the look of shredded fill.
3. Sell or Donate to Local Farms and Gardens: One great aspect of cardboard is that it is biodegradable. When shredded, old boxes can be composted and turned into fertilizer or mulch that can nourish and aerate the soil. It can also be used as bedding for animals to keep them comfy and warm. Reach out to farmers in your area and see if they would be interested in buying shredded cardboard. Once again you will be turning what would have been trash into profit.
4. Reuse Boxes with Employee and Community Initiatives: If you don’t want to shred down your cardboard there are still plenty of ways to reuse it. Keep excess boxes on hand for shipping or offer them to your employees for moving or crafts with their kiddos. Similarly, you can also donate to schools and community centers who may need extra storage or materials for art projects. While you may not be profiting as much as other methods, the reduced waste will still help with management costs and you will be supporting both your employees and the community.

These are just a handful of ways to reuse your excess cardboard and how if can benefit your business along with the environment. To us, it is a no-brainer to start looking at how you can reduce waste output. However, if you still aren’t convinced here are even more reasons why you should reduce, reuse, and recycle in your office place.

Reasons to Go Green

Tax Incentives for Green Initiatives

Embracing paper and cardboard recycling isn't just about cost savings; it could be a pathway to substantial tax relief. Some states offer tax credits or breaks to businesses that actively participate in green initiatives. By establishing a cardboard recycling program, your business could find itself eligible for these incentives, making going green not just environmentally friendly but financially savvy.

Conservation of Natural Resources

Reusing materials cuts down significantly on the amount of natural resources that need to be consumed for production. Cardboard, for example, is made from trees, a vital resource for our planet. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 17 trees are saved per ton of cardboard recycled. A ton may seem like a lot but corrugated boxes make up the largest form of waste by weight in the United States. Totaling nearly 30 million tons of cardboard per year across the country. When you find ways to reuse your cardboard you are actively helping to prevent deforestation and fostering a greener and healthier environment.

Reducing Carbon Footprint

Incorporating cardboard recycling into a business’s waste management strategy is a proactive approach to reducing its carbon footprint. Unfortunately, 40% of the world’s waste is produced by packaging. These items are filling up our landfills and releasing harmful chemicals into our atmosphere. Plastic and styrofoam fills and packaging take over 500 years to break down. This means that their environmental impact will last much longer than the 2 months that shredded cardboard sticks around before it is fully decomposed. By reusing, recycling and replacing harmful products with greener ones, you not only prevent harmful emissions but also exemplify a commitment to the environment.

Enhancing Business Reputation

Consumers are increasingly drawn toward environmentally responsible brands. Businesses can significantly enhance their reputation through recycling initiatives. It reflects a company’s commitment to sustainability and aligns with customer values potentially enhancing customer loyalty. It can even be a distinguishing factor, setting a business apart as a leader among the rest.

Streamlining Waste Management

Implementing a systematic approach to cardboard recycling can simplify waste management procedures. By setting aside cardboard for recycling, businesses can reduce the volume of general waste, facilitating easier and more efficient disposal. It also creates a tidier and more organized workspace, promoting a better working environment for employees.

Community Building through Recycling Programs

Recycling goes beyond just being an eco-friendly practice; it is a tool for community building. Business offices can initiate community recycling programs, encouraging neighbors and other businesses to join the green movement. It could be as simple as setting up a community recycling bin or giving residents access to a cardboard shredder. These initiatives not only amplify the impact of recycling efforts but foster a sense of community.

Recommended Paper Shredders for Cardboard

With all that in mind, here are a few paper shredder options that can help you on your journey. These heavy-duty and eco-friendly shredders are sturdily made and ready to handle all your cardboard.

• HSM ProfiPack C400 Tabletop Cardboard Shredder - German-engineered HSM shredders are designed with sustainability at their core. Not only are they built to last, but they also boast energy-efficient features to further lessen your carbon footprint. These shredders easily recycle cardboard and paper waste, turning them into manageable bales ready for sale or reuse. If you're looking for a shredder that marries efficiency with environmental friendliness, HSM is the way to go.
• Intimus PacMaster S 220v Cardboard Shredder - A trusted name in the shredder industry, Intimus offers machines that prioritize both security and eco-friendliness. Their machines are known for their low energy consumption and make recycling a breeze by efficiently shredding cardboard so it is ready for the next step. By choosing Intimus, you're not just getting a paper shredder; you're investing in sustainability and security.

Incorporating a low-hassle paper shredder into your office's recycling initiative can be a game-changer. It not only aids in the recycling process but also serves as proof of your business's commitment to going green.

FAQs

How can a business office start a cardboard recycling program?

To start a cardboard recycling program you will need to

1. Partner with a local recycling facility
2. Set up recycling bins around the office with one central designated location for shredding
3. Educate employees on expectations and how to correctly dispose of cardboard

What are the different types of cardboard that can be recycled?

You can recycle:

• Corrugated cardboard - often used in packaging
• Paperboard - used in lighter packaging solutions like cereal boxes

Contact your local recycling facility to see if they take any other non-standard boards

How can recycling save you money?

Recycling can save businesses money in several ways.

1. It reduces the cost of waste disposal by lessening bulk leading to less frequent pick-ups.
2. You can often sell baled recyclable materials like cardboard to recycling centers and paper plants to generate additional revenue.
3. Using recycled cardboard for packaging and other operational needs can lower material costs saving money.

How can my business reduce, reuse, recycle?

1. Start by conducting a waste audit to identify the types and amounts of waste you are generating.
2. Strategize how you can reduce each type, such as opting for reusable items instead of disposable ones.
3. Find new ways to use old items, like using cardboard boxes for void fill.
4. Contact your local recycling facility and see what on your list they would take.
5. Create a robust recycling policy and encourage employees to adhere to foster a sustainable work environment.

If you have any questions, give us a call at 1-800-944-4573.