Recycling Cardboard

Corrugated cardboard is a highly valuable recyclable product that can be remade into new boxes, packing material, wood products, etc. Cardboard has a waxy, wavy middle layer and is used for most shipping and storage boxes.

Where can I recycle cardboard?

Charleston County currently does not pick up corrugated cardboard from the curb because cardboard cannot make the 90 degree turn from the shoot into the body of the truck. However, all corrugated cardboard should be recycled, and residents can take cardboard to one of over 30 drop site locations.

Be sure to flatten the boxes before inserting them into the cardboard containers in order to save space for more cardboard and make it easier to process it at the Recycling Center.

All paperboard (i.e. cereal boxes, soda can and beer boxes, etc.) should be put with your other paper recyclables. 
 

There are two very important reasons to recycle cardboard:

Economic Benefits: Because cardboard is bulky and takes up a lot of dumpster space, businesses and apartment/condo complexes that generate large volumes of cardboard may rack up costly disposal fees for the extra volume the cardboard refuse creates. Recycling cardboard will reduce trash disposal fees.

Environmental Benefits:  Recycling cardboard (like any other type of paper) reduces the demand for new paper from virgin pulp, thereby saving trees and decreasing the amount of pollution generated in new paper production. Also, because cardboard is such bulky waste, recycling it saves significant amounts of space in landfills.

If you have questions about recycling cardboard, contact the Environmental Management Department at (843) 720-7111.