You put the recycling out, feel smug about being eco-friendly, then the heavens open – we’ve all been there. It’s frustrating, but it’s not the end of your trip to the recycling centre.
Suddenly your cardboard packaging looks more like papier-mâché, and you’re left wondering whether that can be recycled. Let’s sort fact from soggy fiction.
The short answer
Yes, wet cardboard packaging can usually still be recycled. As long as the cardboard hasn’t completely collapsed or picked up food waste, it’s normally fine to pop it in the recycling.
When wet cardboard becomes a problem
The problem when cardboard packaging is soaked through is contamination. Grease, food residue or mould weaken the fibres – batches can be rejected as a result.
Why rain doesn’t automatically ruin it
Recycling plants already use water as part of the process, so a bit of rain isn’t exactly shocking.
A recent QCR news article on recycling contamination explained that moisture alone doesn’t prevent paper and cardboard from being recycled, but food waste does the real damage
How to keep cardboard recyclable
If possible, store cardboard packaging somewhere dry until collection day. Flatten boxes, keep them clean and don’t mix them with leftovers or greasy packaging.
The bigger picture
Recycling cardboard packaging helps cut waste and save raw materials. That’s why many businesses choose sustainable options such as capscases.co.uk/services-2/sustainable-cardboard-packaging/ as part of their approach.
So if rain gets to your recycling first, don’t panic. Wet cardboard packaging can usually still be recycled, as long as it stays clean and intact.
