How To Recycle
Cereal Boxes?

In this informative post, unlock the secret of sustainable and eco-friendly packaging, and how to properly reuse, reduce, and recycle custom printed cereal boxes. Explore nature-friendly packaging practices to level up your cereal business and earn the trust of environmentally conscious consumers. Start exploring now!

Olivia Chen
Olivia Chen
How to recycle Cereal Boxes TheCustomBoxesUSA

Go green seems like a cool task; it’s the slogan of every business these days. When we believe that we are what our environment makes us. We must see the other aspect of the fact ‘We Are Impacting the Environment’. Believe it or leave it; human activities including the lack of proper disposal of cereal boxes pose threats to nature.

Recycling- it is commonly known to save nature by reducing the need for raw materials. On top of that, it saves the earth from unnecessary stacking of packaging waste. Packaging waste management has become a hot matter of debate for centuries, though recycling has come out as an unsung hero in most of the debates.

Cereals are yummy- crunchy treats ideal to start a day in the perfect way. It gains popularity as a source of a nutrient-rich balanced diet. To keep this balanced diet fresh, cardboard protective layers are used, often called individual cereal boxes. It is also a silent contributor to packaging waste, but you can dispose of it properly to save the earth.

Read this blog and learn whether cereal boxes are recyclable. If yes, then how can you play your part?

Cereal Boxes - Recycling:

Are empty cereal boxes recyclable? This commonly asked question requires lots of information and details to get answered properly. It includes which brand you choose to raise your voice for sustainability. Cereal-packed in substandard plastic material doesn't fit the requirements. However, Kraft boxes, Cardboard boxes, and corrugated boxes with high printing efficiency fall under the category of recyclable section of cereal packaging.

If you choose the right material for your food and beverage packaging, including cereal and cornflakes, you will surely get additional benefits as well. According to GlobalData Statistics, around 50% of consumers first confirm whether the product packaging can be recycled before buying it.

Furthermore, approximately 27% of the research says it is essential for a brand to launch its product in stunning but recyclable packaging. The statistics throw light on the fact that the more you care for recyclability the more you will be dearer to the majority of the consumers. To put it simply, the recyclability of custom cereal boxes is possible but only if made with recyclable material. 

An Intricate Process to Recycle Cereal Boxes:

Recycle Cereal Boxes

The process of recycling cardboard and paperboard cereal box packaging is well understood. For common understanding, it usually starts at the point you throw the empty packs of cereals into the bin or garbage containers. However, the end is quite exciting when users get the new version of the used mini cereal boxes. Exciting right? Let’s get introduced to each step of recycling one by one:

According to research statistics, about 2.7 billion cereal boxes are consumed by Americans every year. With such a large consumption, its disposal can become an issue of concern. However, the process can become easy if everyone participates in recycling. After consumption, every packaging size, including small cereal boxes, should be disposed of in the recycling bin. Some countries have separate portions for dumping paperboard, glassware, and plastics. It’s the way to make the collection process of recycling easier.

Single-Stream Recycling:

This step collects all the acceptable recyclables in a single large bin. Large bins contain various recyclable materials like plastic, metal, and glass, in addition to paper products. Although, this waste is transferred to MRF, i.e., the Materials Recovery Facility. As the waste is unloaded, large machines like optical scanners and star wheel sorters are used to separate various recyclables.

Hand-sorting also goes side by side to remove the waste that cannot be recycled. The process collects paper products including customized cereal boxes. They are sorted into different categories and baled. Then, the material is ready to be shipped to the recycling plant.

Processing Of Cereal Boxes at the Recycling Plant:

Processing Of Cereal Boxes

The following are essential steps during the process of recycling.

Collection Of Used Boxes

The collection of used boxes is the first step in the recycling process. All town dustings are searched properly to pick all the boxes that need to be recycled. Or only paperboard or cardboard packaging boxes are transferred to recycling plants, and you can move on to the next step.

Shredding

The next step is to shred the empty boxes once you have collected them. To shred these boxes into tiny pieces, you must run them through mechanical shredders. Do you know why shredding is necessary? It’s because you can't process larger boxes. Therefore, a variety of machines can shred these boxes. Furthermore, there are various kinds of shredders in recycling systems.

Cleaning To Remove Contaminants

Don't you realize that several pollutants could be present in empty cereal boxes? Remember that empty packaging boxes on Earth could pick up impurities like dust or other contaminants. They could obstruct your recycling procedure if you don't get rid of them. To ensure smooth operation, you must remove them; otherwise, they could stop the presser or shredder. Therefore, you must clean the mixture to remove any pollutants and prevent this issue. You can do cleaning either manually or mechanically. Consequently, you won't have any issues with this cleaned mixture.

Washing Process To Remove Leftover Inks

The recycling process becomes easy when you use personalized cereal boxes. The reason is quite obvious as many types of boxes don’t come in plain surfaces. For example, there could be a printed pattern, image, or drawing. However, the inks often don’t disappear as quickly as the material. During the shredding and cleaning procedure, some ink types may be unable to be removed. Therefore, all we need to do is wash all leftover ink, if any, to create a neat white paper. It would help in running the entire mixture through a unique washing step for this purpose. Thus, you can also eliminate the ink after recycling, leaving behind the white, orderly paper.

Pressing Fibers:

The exciting process of packaging recycling doesn’t end here. Once all fibers are sorted and cleaned from all impurities and contaminants, it become the subject of compressing and pressing its fibers. Larger bailers are used to compress bundle fibers into compact and manageable units, often named bales. These machines usually use hydraulic or mechanical pressure to reduce the volume and increase the density. Right after that, the pressed fibers are compressed to make thin sheets and layers. Mostly straps, wires, and twines are used to secure the bales in place- the factor also aids in maintaining the shape of the pressed fibers during transportation and storage.

Bottom Lines:

In a nutshell, great packaging is only the one that hides recyclability within. Custom printed cereal boxes packaging rocks in the food and beverages industry, due to water-based inks, and their ability to withstand high pressure. In addition, by simple collection, shredding, cleaning, washing, and pressing processes you can give them entirely a new look. The Custom Boxes are a one-in-a-million Packaging company that never steps back from offering affordability or keeping in mind the eco-friendliness of packaging. Ensure a guilt-free journey while boosting your cereal brand in one go. Stay blessed and keep connected. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Cereal Boxes Paper Or Cardboard?

The cereal boxes are made up of paper board however you can make it with cardboard as per your preferences. The crunchy cereals or cornflakes need the protection of some recyclable material to remain fresh for longer. Both types of materials are considered good; thus, they fall in the eco-friendly choices of packaging boxes. Furthermore, it’s your box and your wish, you can also craft them with Bux sheets, renewable plastic, or any other green choice.

Are Cereal Boxes Considered Corrugated Cardboard?

Corrugated is a type of material that is synonymous with durability. It’s one of the most robust types of material often used for shipping and transporting heavy and luxurious products. The multi-layered nature of these boxes makes it a great choice for making shipping and mailer boxes. However, the cereal being light in weight can easily be encased in paper and cardboard. So, the preferable choice for you is to make these boxes with cardboard packaging, but again, the choice is yours. Corrugated can also be used- though being expensive it has a rare application.

What Type Of Packaging Is A Cereal Box?

The cereal box is a great type of packaging- specially designed to keep the product fresh. It protects it from all potential environmental harms and levels up the ground for engaging the end consumers. The more you spend on this particular type of material, the better be chances that your cereals sell like hot-cakes. Simply, it’s not just packaging; it’s the offer that you give to your valued clients.

What Type Of Cardboard Is Used For Cereal Boxes?

There is no other thought than that cardboard is the best choice for making cereal boxes, but why? Cardboard is an amazing choice to complete all varying needs of the selling products. Die-cut friendly, easy printing and high-pressing efficiency always put forth great style and designs that captivate. All these wonderful qualities make the cardboard a great choice for all cereal boxes.

Though there is no specific type of cardboard, you can select any of your types. The best part about is it's plant-derived and hence completely safe.

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