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There are two options for excess cardboard

We are in the season of giving, which also means figuring out what to do with all the old stuff the gifts have replaced.

Over the next several days, we will share some recycling tips on how you should handle the excess of things that accumulate during the holidays.

Here are the previous holiday recycling tips:

How to Recycle More Cardboard Than Fits into Your Recycling Cart
In order for recycling truck operators to collect cardboard placed outside of the collection cart, they have to hop out of their vehicle and somehow get the cardboard up and into the truck’s opening where the carts are emptied. The truck’s opening is several feet off the ground and not on the back like old-fashioned collection vehicles. Lifting large, heavy, and awkward piles of cardboard up and into this opening can be very difficult.

With worker safety and collection efficiency in mind, the Streets Division asks residents to follow these easy steps to be sure all your extra cardboard at the curb can be collected.

  • Step 1: Flatten all the boxes and cardboard that do not fit into the recycling cart. Do not stuff flattened boxes into a larger box.
  • Step 2: Cut or fold the flattened excess cardboard down into roughly 3-foot by 3-foot squares.
  • Step 3: Bundle all the cardboard together using string or twine. The bundles should be no thicker than approximately 6 inches so they are easy to lift.
  • Step 4: Place the bundles of cardboard out next to your collection cart for pickup.

Packaging your excess cardboard into bundles as described above ensures the piles are safe to handle and lift by recycling crews, and they will be collected.

If residents do not follow the above steps for excess cardboard, crews may not be able to collect the material.

Excess cardboard can also be recycled at the drop-off sites at 4602 Sycamore Ave and 1501 W. Badger Rd. Drop-off sites are open 7:30am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday. Those who use the drop-off site should check into the office prior to unloading.

For more information regarding recycling excess cardboard, please visit the Streets Division’s website, http://www.cityofmadison.com/streets.
 

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