We all make New Year’s resolutions. For some of us, it is a resolution to get healthier by losing weight and exercising more. For others, the resolutions might be more focused on career paths or on improving personal relationships. But how about making a resolution that helps the planet: Do more cardboard and paper recycling this year!
It is quite possible that you already have in past years, but the reality is that it is not getting done on the global level that we truly need. We can say this with absolute confidence because of one critical statistic that pops up year after year when reading out the latest recycling trends: while 94% of Americans support recycling cardboard and paper, only 35% actually do it. That is a sobering percentage, even with all the progress we have made to push the reduce, reuse, and recycle initiative. And the result is increased contamination and more recyclables making their way into the ocean, our landfills, streets, and more.
Sadly, cardboard and paper make up a large share of that waste, despite being among the most recycled materials in the United States. In 2022, the paper recycling rate was nearly 68%. The recycling rate for cardboard boxes, also known as corrugated containers (OCC), was just above 93% that same year. No one is suggesting that you kick your other New Year’s resolutions to the curb. We are simply asking everyone to make this the year they resolve to do more cardboard and paper recycling at home and at work!
Texas Recycling: A Top Dallas Recycling Company for Industrial Metal, Cardboard and Paper Recycling! Call 214-357-0262
New Year’s Resolution: Cardboard and Paper Recycling Is a Good Habit To Start
According to many experts, it takes about three weeks for a behavior to become a habit. That means that if everyone is very intentional about recycling at home and at work for the first three weeks of the year (that is only 21 days), a cardboard and paper recycling habit could be formed before February.
Can you imagine how much all that extra recycling will help the environment? A simple daily action, like flattening a cardboard box from another shipment of office products or tossing used printer paper into the correct bin at home or at school, might seem small. But multiplied across hundreds of Dallas neighborhoods, standard office workspaces, schools, and manufacturing facilities, the impact can be enormous. After all, Americans collectively generate more than 200 million tons of trash each year. When even a fraction of that material gets diverted from landfills and reintroduced in the manufacturing cycle, the environmental and economic benefits are practically limitless.
Fewer trees harvested, reduced landfill strain, cleaner air and water, lower waste management costs—the ripple effect adds up faster than most people realize. So, if you’re looking for a New Year’s resolution that is easy to adopt, easy to maintain, and genuinely meaningful, cardboard and paper recycling is a perfect place to start. Intentionality now creates a lasting habit that benefits your home, your workplace, and the planet year-round.
While 94% of Americans support recycling cardboard and paper, only 35% actually do it. That is a sobering percentage, even with all the progress we have made to push the reduce, reuse, and recycle initiative.
Have You Been Recycling These Common Cardboard and Paper Items?
- Newspaper (including inserts)
- Office paper (staples, rubber bands, and paperclips are OK)
- Printed and non-printed paper
- Files and records
- Baled and loose cardboard
Texas Recycling: Our Dallas Recycling Company Helps Your Business with Revenue by Accepting Cardboard and Paper Recycling. Call 214-357-0262
12 Tips for More Cardboard and Paper Recycling
Texas Recycling supports your efforts for paper and cardboard recycling. Here are 12 tips to turn your resolution to recycle at home and work into a habit:
- Repetition — Recycle. Recycle again. Repeat. Repetition of the desired action is the best way to form a habit.
- Positive reinforcement — When you place an item in the recycling bin instead of the trash, take a moment to evaluate your emotions. Do you feel good about recycling? That positive, confident feeling of doing something good for the planet is your reward.
- Start now — The best time to start cardboard and paper recycling is now. Do not let excuses cause delays.
- Stop to think — Think about each item before you automatically throw it in the trash. Is it eligible for cardboard and paper recycling? Should you take extra time to place it in the recycling bin instead?
- Easy materials — Cardboard and paper are the easiest materials to recycle. Start with those and work up to other recyclable materials, such as aluminum cans, glass, plastic, scrap metal, and more.
- Recycling bins — It is hard to recycle cardboard and paper without one. Ask your employers to provide the proper receptacles. If you have children, get them involved by decorating your bins at home!
- Convenience — Keep recycling bins in convenient places. Multiple bins may be useful, such as one in the kitchen, one in the office break room, and another in the garage.
- Curbside — Take advantage of curbside cardboard and paper recycling programs in your community.
- Encourage others — Encourage family members of all ages to recycle. Get the entire company invested in cardboard and paper recycling at the office.
- Educate — Educate yourself, your family, and co-workers on what can and cannot be recycled in your community. Look for guides and printouts online and post them nearby for easy reference.
- Drop off — If you do not have curbside recycling, you can still recycle at home and at work. Find out the nearest and most convenient drop-off sites and regularly schedule visits in your calendar.
- Reward with revenue — Reward your recycling resolution by earning money for recyclables. Visit the Public Buy Back Center at Texas Recycling. To learn more about our hours and the cardboard and paper we buy, call 214-357-0262 or visit this page.
Americans collectively generate more than 200 million tons of trash each year. When even a fraction of that material gets diverted from landfills and reintroduced in the manufacturing cycle, the environmental and economic benefits are practically limitless.
To turn a behavior into a habit, you must keep at it! The more you do cardboard and paper recycling at home and at work, the easier it will become. So go ahead and empty those cardboard boxes and break them down. Place unwanted catalogs in the recycling bin, not the trash. Put that office paper into recycling receptacles. It is okay to start small until paper and cardboard recycling becomes one of your best habits.
The goal is to get to the point where “not recycling” feels strange. Making a resolution to recycle at home and at work will benefit you, your community, and especially the environment.
We Offer Recycling Programs for Commercial and Industrial Customers
Do you want to resolve to do more cardboard and paper recycling? Like you, we at Texas Recycling are concerned about the future of our environment. We offer customized recycling solutions tailored to each company’s specific recycling needs, helping corporate entities achieve sustainability goals. Our professional and personalized service will exceed your expectations.
Texas Recycling offers an all-in-one solution for industrial and commercial recycling. Rather than hauling like products to different facilities, our plant processes paper, corrugated cardboard, and industrial metals at one location. We even offer on-site document shredding and product shredding services through our sister company, Action Shred.
With over 30 years of experience and a passion for industrial and commercial recycling, we have a recycling solution to help your organization earn more money for recycled materials. Large volume recyclers with ongoing truckloads of materials can benefit from the convenience of routinely scheduled pickups and payouts. Texas Recycling also offers a Public Buy Back Center for smaller businesses who prefer to stop by with aluminum cans, cardboard and paper recycling needs. Our team is trained and eager to help.
The bottom line is that Texas Recycling is committed to enhancing the environment by delivering the highest-quality recycling services in the D/FW Metroplex. Call us at 214-357-0262 to learn more about commercial and industrial long-term recycling opportunities for your company. Our creative solutions enable companies to adopt environmental responsibility and sustainability, while bringing in extra revenue to boost the bottom line. Call Texas Recycling for a quote at 214-357-0262 and to get started on a commercial recycling or industrial recycling program for your organization.