Recycle Lady: What Can be Recycled with Cardboard and Do Items End Up in the Landfill

Dear Recycle Lady,

Several times I have heard or read that items put in recycled bins are often taken to a landfill. Say it Isn’t So

Dear Say It Isn’t So,

I can absolutely and positively say this isn’t so for any recyclable items taken to the Recycling Center in Ronceverte. First of all, our buyers not only pay us for the recyclables, but they also pay for the 18-wheelers and drivers that come to pick up the very large bales of recyclables – and 18-wheelers and drivers are not cheap! Before committing to a price, we check with several buyers for the best price – which is most often Georgia Pacific (GP). Newspapers and other recyclable papers go to several large processing plants in Virginia where the most common upcycled product is more paper. Plastics are also purchased by GP and sent to locations in Georgia where they are used to make various items including plastic car parts. Cardboard, also purchased by GP, is sent to Tennessee or Virginia, including Big Island, Virginia, where recycled cardboard is made. WV Cashin in Nitro, West Virginia buys our aluminum cans, processes them and ships them off for further processing. Scott Recycling in Virginia buys electronic items, sorts them and grinds them up. Gold, copper, silver, plastics, glass and palladium can all be recovered from recycled electronics. The Center has an excellent reputation for clean recyclables that are free of trash so there are no problems finding buyers. Absolutely nothing goes to the landfill.

Dear Recycle Lady,

Help! Exactly what can and cannot be recycled in the cardboard bin? Conflicted Reader

Dear Conflicted Reader,

This is a question I am often asked, so I will attempt to list all items that go in the cardboard bin and all items that do not go in the cardboard bin. Readers, if I have missed something in either category, please let me know.

What CAN be recycled in the cardboard bin:

Brown corrugated cardboard boxes – a three-layer cardboard that everyone recognizes.

Be sure to remove ALL packaging materials, including styrofoam, plastic peanuts and bubble wrap. These items can be taken to Post-Net on Route 219 North where they reuse them when shipping packages. Brown paper packaging can be left in the boxes and packing tape, labels and staples can be left on. Boxes do not need to be flattened.

Paperboard – single layer cardboard – smaller boxes such as household and personal use boxes. For example, toothpaste boxes, cereal boxes with plastic liners removed, shoe boxes and empty paper towel or toilet paper rolls. It is helpful for the employees if you flatten smaller boxes and place them inside larger boxes or in bags. Doing so keeps them from falling out on the floor during the baling process.

• Brown paper and brown paper bags of all sizes – with or without handles.
• Manila folders, envelopes, and hanging folders – if the metal hanging rod has been removed.
• Pressed cardboard carry out forms that are clean and free of food.

What CAN NOT be recycled as cardboard:

• Contaminated cardboard or bags – pizza boxes or boxes/bags that contained grease or oil.
• Cardboard containers with traces of food – coffee cups, takeout containers, paper plates.
• Boxes containing chemicals from cleaning supplies or other household products.
• Waxed-coated cartons that contained liquids, such as milk or juice.
• Shipping bags with a plastic liner.
• No plastics of any kind.

Good News: Lewisburg Boy Scout Troop 70 has received their Trex bench and it will be placed on the walking trail at Montwell Commons.

Have questions about recycling, or interesting information about recycling? Send questions or requests to Recyclelady7@gmail.com . Dear Recycle Lady is sponsored jointly by the Greenbrier Recycling Center and Greenworks Recycling.

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