Is Recycling Cardboard Profitable?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Cardboard recycling, which can happen legally or illegally,

can yield substantial profits

. In fact, the global value of legitimately traded cardboard is expected to reach $5.4 billion in 2024, up from $4.3 billion in 2017. Recycled cardboard is worth its weight in “beige gold,” with a ton of it going for roughly $108.

How much is scrap cardboard worth?

AVERAGE HIGH LOW
75.00 USD/Ton


100.00 USD/Ton


40.00 USD/Ton

Can I make money recycling cardboard?

Can You Make Money Selling Cardboard Boxes?

Yes

, you can make money selling cardboard boxes to companies that recycle cardboard. Cardboard recyclers pay anywhere between $0.5 to $2 per box, depending on its size and condition. … The secret to recycling cardboard boxes for cash is by building an inventory.

Is it worth it to recycle cardboard?

Is it worth it to recycle cardboard?

Yes, it’s worth it to recycle cardboard

. Manufacturing 1 ton of virgin cardboard requires more than 3 tons of trees while recycling 1 ton of cardboard frees up to 9 cubic yards of landfill space.

How much money can you get for a bail of cardboard?

The value of 10 tons baled material in today’s market is

about $1,000

and the monthly lease price on a new 13K downstroke baler is about $300. After labor and hauling costs, you are left with minimal profit. This will help you get the best baled cardboard prices.

How much is a pound of cardboard worth?

The typical price for recycled cardboard is

between 1/2 cent and 3 cents per pound

, but this will vary by center. It’s a good idea to tell the recycling center how much cardboard you have before you bring it in because some centers will only recycle cardboard above a minimum weight.

Do people collect cardboard boxes?

Under most state and local laws,

people can collect cardboard left outside by a business

or doled out by a shopkeeper for recycling.

Can cardboard still be recycled if it gets wet?


We recommend that you do not recycle wet cardboard

. It clogs up the automated sorting machines that most recycling facilities use. It is best to throw wet cardboard into the trash so that the entire recycling bin does not get wet.

What items are worth recycling?

  • Newspapers. Newspapers are one of the easiest materials to recycle. …
  • Mixed Paper. …
  • Glossy Magazines and Ads. …
  • Cardboard. …
  • Paperboard. …
  • Plastic Drink Bottles. …
  • Plastic Product Bottles. …
  • Aluminum Cans.

What percent of cardboard boxes are recycled?

Paper containers and packaging, excluding corrugated boxes, had a recycling rate of 20.8 percent, while corrugated boxes had a recycling rate of

96.5 percent

in 2018. The total amount of paper and paperboard combusted in 2018 was 4.2 million tons.

How much is a pound of plastic bottles worth?

A pound of plastic bottles gets you

around $1.20

. Aluminum is worth as much as $2 a pound.

What is the cost of cardboard?

ITEM # SIZE (INCHES) PRICE PER SHEET CSS-99 9×9′′

$0.26
CSS-912 9×12′′ $0.13 CSS-1010 10×10′′ $0.33 CSS-1114 11×14′′ $0.23

How do you make money with cardboard?

For the most common box sizes, you can expect to make

between 50 cents and $1.50 per box

. Gaylord boxes can sell for at least $4 per box and even higher depending on its dimensions and current market demand. Selling to people that reuse the cardboard instead of a cardboard recycler will be more profitable.

How do I get rid of cardboard boxes?

  1. Drop cardboard at your local recycling center. Most cities or counties have a recycling center. …
  2. Give them away for reuse. …
  3. Give them away for composting. …
  4. Look into a bulky goods collection. …
  5. Rent a cardboard dumpster. …
  6. One final suggestion: How to buy or find large amounts of recycled cardboard boxes.

What can I do with cardboard boxes?

  1. DIY Apartment Door Numbers.
  2. Repurposed Cardboard Belted Storage Tote.
  3. Upcycled Cardboard Photo Frame.
  4. Upcycled Cardboard Sunburst Mirror.
  5. DIY Decoupage Cardboard Trays.
  6. Cardboard City – Kid Fun!
  7. Indoor Dog House.
  8. Repurposed Cardboard Drawer Dividers.

What happens if cardboard gets wet?


Cardboard may become brittle and even crumbly

after getting wet. Water weakens the paper fibers, making cardboard less valuable. One more reason to keep your cardboard dry: wet cardboard tends to become moldy pretty quickly and mold is a contaminant in recycling. Moldy cardboard should NOT be recycled.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.