Waxed cardboard is corrugated (multi-layered) cardboard that is lined with polyethylene to prevent it from getting soggy. While the material can be mistaken for cardboard or paperboard, it’s actually rarely used by consumers and is favored by retailers for shipping produce. If you are not sure how to recycle waxed cardboard scroll to the end of this guide and use our recycling locator.
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Frequent Waxed Cardboard Recycling Questions
What is waxed cardboard?
Waxed cardboard is corrugated (multi-layered) cardboard that is lined with polyethylene to prevent it from getting soggy. This material is designed to be refrigerated or frozen.
If you can see or feel waxy residue when you scrape a box with your fingernail, it is waxed.
These boxes are mostly used by retailers and rarely by consumers, since most consumer products are packaged in paperboard instead of corrugated cardboard that has a polyethylene lining. Retailers primarily use this type of box to ship produce.
Can I recycle waxed cardboard?
While it is seldom collected, if your recycling program accepts wet-strength or frozen food paperboard boxes, it will most likely accept waxed cardboard boxes. Jump to the recycling search to find a local option, add your ZIP Code to check local options. If you do have a path to recycling your waxed cardboard, be sure to break down the boxes before sending them, just like cardboard.
Editor’s Note: Originally published on June 5, 2016, this article was most recently updated in June 2024.