Corrugated "cardboard" is a strong, versatile packaging material that is universally accepted for recovery and recycling. Corrugated packaging material is generally referred to by the general public as “cardboard” and by the industry as Old Corrugated Cardboard (OCC). The term “OCC” is used in this document. 

OCC is made from two strips of flat cardboard on the top and bottom, and a wavy “corrugated” or fluted strip running through the center. It is most commonly found in boxes used for packaging and shipping items. 

Paperboard (flat, pressed, stiff paper used in cereal boxes, for example)--also often called cardboard by the general public--does not have flutes, is of a lower quality paper, and is often coated. Paperboard, by definition, is not OCC and, therefore, should be kept to a minimum in an OCC collection program.

Examples of common OCC include cases or ream boxes (cardboard shipping containers for reams of copy paper, products, stationery, supplies, equipment, or publications) and are roughly 10”Hx10”Wx12”L. Some OCC boxes have matching lids, while others have flaps that are sealed shut. Gaylords are larger, heavy-duty shipping container versions of these boxes, often with lids and on pallets.  OCC comes in other sizes and shapes depending on their requirements, including non-box form, for packing, cushioning or other uses.

Siince old corrugated cardboard (OCC) is bulky and takes up a lot of space in dumpsters--especially if unflattened--businesses that generate large volumes of OCC may find it cost effective to bale or compact the material. And, depending upon the market, businesses make actually make a profit on the sale of collected OCC. At the very least, businesses may eliminate disposal fees by preparing it for hauler pickups or delivering it (dropoff) to a recycling facility.

Donations of reusable corrugated boxes can be made to charities for reuse, or to school recycle/reuse centers for creative and educational purposes. See “Donation Information” below. Also, recycling OCC reduces the need for new paper from virgin pulp, which in turn decreases the amount of pollution generated in paper production and creates jobs.

OCC is a bulky, highly recyclable waste. Keeping this material out of the waste stream will mean saving landfill space in areas where disposed materials are landfilled and reducing pollution through avoided incineration where waste is incinerated.