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Procedure for Recycling Cardboard at UNC:

1. No pizza boxes -- Pizza boxes contain food waste and grease which contaminate cardboard. 
2. Separate corrugated cardboard from other recyclables and trash.
3. Break down the cardboard.
4. Place corrugated cardboard in one of the University's blue corrugated cardboard containers located next to trash dumpsters on campus. Only clean, dry and flattened corrugated cardboard is acceptable.

***** Corrugated cardboard recycling is contaminated by trash of any kind, pizza or other food boxes, paperboard (cereal boxes, notebook covers, etc.), and wax coated corrugated produce boxes. *****

Fact Sheet - Corrugated Cardboard

Fact: Corrugated cardboard has three layers; two flat outer layers and a wavy inner layer.

Fact: In 1990, 191 pounds of corrugated cardboard were produced for each American.

Fact: Corrugated boxes are easily recyclable. Only aluminum cans have a higher recycling rate than corrugated boxes.

Source Reduction: Reuse boxes. Don't get them wet since moisture weakens them. Several companies have decreased the amount of linerboard placed in cardboard boxes. which reduces the quantity of materials needed for production. However, if the amount of linerboard is reduced by more than 15 %, boxes will lose strength.

North Carolina Corrugated Cardboard Recycling Policy:

The North Carolina Solid Waste Management Act of 1989 requires all state agencies to establish recycling programs for corrugated cardboard by January 1, 1992.  

As of March 1, 1996, the Orange County Landfill Owners Group imposed a ban on the disposal of corrugated cardboard in the landfill. Loads of mixed or construction waste including cardboard are subject to a tipping fee of $84/ton (normal tipping fee is $42/ton).  Loads of more than 50% cardboard are subject to an additional penalty of $400.

Sources:

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