Choosing Your Recycling Program

Posted on: 21 February 2023

OCC recycling, or old corrugated cardboard recycling, is the process of reusing used and discarded cardboard boxes and cartons to make new products. This type of recycling is an important part of waste management and sustainability efforts as it helps reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills while also conserving resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Here is some information to explain the process of OCC recycling and its benefits. 

The Process of OCC Recycling

The OCC recycling process begins with the collection of old corrugated cardboard boxes and cartons. These boxes are collected from households, businesses, and industries and then sorted and transported to a recycling facility. At the recycling facility, the cardboard boxes are sorted again to remove any contaminants such as plastic or metal that may have been mixed with them during the collection process.

Once the cardboard boxes are sorted, they are pulped in large machines called pulpers. The pulpers mix the cardboard with water and chemicals to break down the fibers in the cardboard and form a pulp. This pulp is then cleaned and screened to remove any impurities and is then sent to a paper mill.

At the paper mill, the pulp is used to make new products such as cardboard boxes, paper bags, and other paper products. The pulp is mixed with new fibers, chemicals, and water, and is then passed through a series of machines to remove excess water, dry the pulp, and form it into the desired shape.

Benefits of OCC Recycling

OCC recycling offers several benefits, both to the environment and to the economy. Some of the key benefits of OCC recycling include:

1. Reducing Waste: Recycling old corrugated cardboard boxes, reduces the amount of waste that goes into landfills. This helps to conserve valuable landfill space and reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal.

2. Conserving Resources: OCC recycling helps to conserve natural resources such as trees and water. This can reduce the demand for new raw materials, which in turn helps to preserve natural resources.

3. Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The production of new cardboard boxes and paper products requires a significant amount of energy, which leads to greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling old cardboard boxes reduces the demand for new products, which in turn helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Economic Benefits: OCC recycling provides economic benefits by creating jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries. It also helps to reduce the cost of producing new cardboard boxes and paper products, which can be passed on to consumers in the form of lower prices.

OCC recycling is an important part of waste management and sustainability efforts. If you are interested in contributing to OCC recycling efforts, consider separating your cardboard boxes from other waste materials and recycling them at a local recycling center. By doing so, you can help reduce waste and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Contact a local OCC recycling service to learn more.