Cardboard and paper products are some of the most prevalent materials in the waste stream. In the recycling and waste industry, these products are referred to as “fiber” due to the microscopic fibers that make up the products. This category of recyclable materials includes products such as corrugated cardboard, paperboard, office paper, newspaper and magazines (to learn more about what products can be recycled visit www.recycleright.org). Other products such as milk and broth cartons and paper cups are included in this category and are recycled in the same manner. While each of these materials is easily recyclable, it’s estimated that each year over 320,000 tons of cardboard and paper products are landfilled by Franklin County residents and businesses, comprising almost 30% of the materials being sent to the landfill.  

Needless to say, there’s a significant opportunity to divert cardboard and paper from being landfilled. In addition to the environmental benefits of recycling paper and cardboard, such as reducing deforestation and habitat destruction, these recycled materials directly support Ohio businesses and jobs. Ohio is fortunate to be home to large paper and cardboard recyclers including Grief and Pratt Industries who consume most of these materials that are recycled in Franklin County and support over 1,750 jobs in Ohio combined. As a result, it only takes seven days for a cardboard box to be recycled into a new cardboard box once it’s collected for recycling from your home.