Box Recycling
Sustainable disposal for your end-of-life gaylord boxes. We ensure every box is properly recycled, keeping materials out of landfills and back in the supply chain.
Schedule Recycling Pickup
Free pickup for qualifying quantities.
Recycling Process
Collection
We pick up boxes from your location at no charge.
Sorting
Boxes are sorted - reusable ones are repaired, others recycled.
Processing
Materials are baled and sent to certified recycling facilities.
Documentation
You receive a certificate of recycling for your records.
Environmental Impact
By recycling with Oregon Boxes, you're making a real difference. Here's what your recycling helps achieve:
Annual Impact Report
What We Recycle
Accepted Materials
- Corrugated gaylord boxes
- Cardboard lids
- Cardboard dividers
- Pallet protectors
- Corrugated sheets
Cannot Accept
- Wax-coated boxes
- Hazardous material contaminated
- Plastic-lined containers
- Foam packaging
How Gaylord Box Recycling Works
Our comprehensive recycling process ensures maximum material recovery and environmental benefit
Step 1: Collection & Transportation
Our specialized trucks arrive at your facility with trained staff to safely collect your used gaylord boxes. We handle all loading and transportation, ensuring proper handling to maintain material quality. Our fleet operates throughout Oregon and Washington, providing reliable pickup schedules that fit your operations.
- Free pickup for qualifying quantities (50+ boxes)
- Scheduled or on-demand pickup options
- Real-time tracking and pickup confirmation
Step 2: Advanced Sorting & Inspection
At our 50,000 sq ft processing facility, every box undergoes detailed inspection. Our experienced team evaluates each box for reuse potential. Boxes meeting quality standards are cleaned and returned to inventory. Those beyond repair are sorted by material type, grade, and contamination level for optimal recycling.
- Quality assessment for reuse opportunities
- Separation by material grade and type
- Removal of non-recyclable components (staples, plastic)
Step 3: Processing & Baling
Sorted materials are processed through our industrial balers, creating dense, uniform bales weighing 1,000-2,000 lbs each. This compression reduces transportation costs and environmental impact. Materials are tracked through our inventory system, ensuring full chain-of-custody documentation for compliance reporting.
- High-density baling for efficient transportation
- Material tracking and weight documentation
- Quality control to meet mill specifications
Step 4: Mill Processing & New Life
Baled materials are transported to certified paper mills where they are pulped, cleaned, and reformed into new paper products. The recycling process saves energy, water, and raw materials while reducing landfill waste. Within 24 hours of processing, you receive a detailed certificate documenting your environmental impact.
- Certified recycling facility processing
- Detailed certificate of recycling provided
- Environmental impact metrics calculated
Materials We Recycle
Understanding material types helps maximize recycling value and environmental impact
Single-Wall Corrugated
Most common gaylord box material, highly recyclable
Double-Wall Corrugated
Heavy-duty boxes with excellent fiber quality
Triple-Wall Corrugated
Strongest boxes with longest fibers
Pallets & Wood Components
Wooden pallets and structural components
What Happens to Recycled Corrugated?
Recycling vs Landfill
The choice is clear: recycling delivers superior environmental and economic outcomes
Recycling
- 95% Less EnergyRecycling uses significantly less energy than producing new materials from trees
- 74% Less PollutionDramatically reduces air and water pollution compared to landfills
- Zero Landfill SpaceKeeps materials in circulation, preserving landfill capacity
- Revenue PotentialHigh-quality materials may generate rebates, offsetting costs
- Creates JobsRecycling industry employs 10x more people per ton than landfills
- Compliance & ReportingProvides certificates for sustainability goals and ESG reporting
Landfill Disposal
- High Disposal FeesOngoing costs of $50-150 per ton with no return value
- Methane EmissionsDecomposing paper produces greenhouse gases 25x more potent than CO2
- Wasted ResourcesVirgin materials must be harvested to replace discarded boxes
- Limited Landfill SpacePaper products consume 26% of landfill volume unnecessarily
- Regulatory RisksIncreasing regulations may penalize high waste generation
- No DocumentationCannot demonstrate sustainability efforts to stakeholders
The Bottom Line
Recycling 1 ton of corrugated boxes saves 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, and enough energy to power a home for 6 months.
Certifications & Compliance
Our recycling operations meet the highest industry standards for environmental responsibility
ISO 14001
Environmental Management System certification
R2 Certified
Responsible Recycling standards compliance
EPA Compliant
Full Environmental Protection Agency compliance
Zero Landfill
Committed to zero landfill waste operations
Certificate of Recycling
Every recycling transaction includes a detailed Certificate of Recycling delivered within 24 hours. This document provides full chain-of-custody tracking and is essential for:
- ESG and sustainability reporting
- Corporate environmental goals tracking
- ISO 14001 compliance documentation
- Waste diversion rate calculations
- Carbon footprint reduction verification
- Stakeholder and investor communications
What's Included in Your Certificate
Corporate Sustainability Programs
Partner with us for comprehensive recycling programs that support your environmental goals
Scheduled Pickup Programs
Regular scheduled pickups (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) ensure your facility maintains optimal organization and consistent recycling compliance.
- Predictable schedule integration
- Volume-based pricing discounts
- Priority scheduling guarantee
Sustainability Reporting
Comprehensive quarterly and annual reports with detailed metrics for ESG reporting, investor communications, and sustainability goal tracking.
- Quarterly impact summaries
- Annual sustainability reports
- Custom metrics and KPIs
Employee Engagement
Training, educational materials, and engagement programs that help your team understand and participate in sustainability initiatives.
- On-site training sessions
- Sustainability materials
- Impact dashboards
Zero Waste Partnership Program
Our most comprehensive program designed for enterprises committed to achieving zero landfill waste goals. This partnership includes regular audits, optimization consulting, employee training, and dedicated account management to ensure maximum diversion rates and measurable environmental impact.
Program Benefits:
- Dedicated sustainability account manager
- Quarterly waste stream audits and optimization
- Custom reporting dashboards with real-time data
- Priority pickup and emergency service
- Employee training and engagement programs
Ideal For:
- Large distribution centers (500,000+ sq ft)
- Manufacturing facilities with high box volume
- Multi-location enterprises needing consistency
- Companies with aggressive ESG commitments
- Organizations seeking zero landfill certification
Your Environmental Impact
See the real environmental difference recycling makes for your operation
Calculate Your Impact
Example: 100 Gaylord Boxes Per Month
Average weight: 50 lbs per box = 2.5 tons monthly = 30 tons annually
Monthly Impact
- Trees Saved43 trees
- Water Conserved17,500 gal
- CO2 Prevented4.2 tons
- Energy Saved10,000 kWh
Annual Impact
- Trees Saved510 trees
- Water Conserved210,000 gal
- CO2 Prevented50 tons
- Energy Saved120,000 kWh
Want a custom calculation for your facility?
Request Custom Impact ReportFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our recycling services
What types of gaylord boxes do you recycle?
We recycle all types of corrugated gaylord boxes including single-wall, double-wall, triple-wall, octagonal bins, and rectangular containers. We also accept cardboard lids, dividers, and pallet protectors.
Is there a minimum quantity for free pickup?
Yes, we require a minimum of 50 gaylord boxes or equivalent volume for free pickup service. For smaller quantities, we can arrange pickup for a nominal fee or you can schedule consolidated pickups.
How quickly can you pick up our boxes?
We typically schedule pickups within 2-5 business days. For urgent needs or large volumes, we can often accommodate same-week or next-day pickup in the Portland metro area.
Do you provide certificates of recycling?
Yes, we provide detailed certificates of recycling within 24 hours of processing your materials. Certificates include weight, material type, recycling facility information, and environmental impact calculations.
Can you recycle contaminated boxes?
It depends on the contamination. We can recycle boxes with minor dirt or dust. However, we cannot accept boxes contaminated with hazardous materials, oils, chemicals, or food waste. Contact us to discuss specific situations.
What happens to the boxes after you collect them?
Boxes are sorted at our facility. Reusable boxes are cleaned and resold. Damaged boxes are baled and sent to certified paper mills where they are pulped and recycled into new paper products.
Do you offer regular scheduled pickups?
Yes, we offer weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly scheduled pickup programs for businesses that generate consistent volumes of used boxes. This ensures your facility stays organized and maintains compliance.
How does recycling save money compared to disposal?
Recycling eliminates disposal fees, reduces waste management costs, and may generate rebates for high-quality materials. Plus, regular pickups prevent storage issues and improve facility efficiency.
Still Have Questions?
Our team is here to help with any questions about recycling your gaylord boxes.
Schedule Regular Pickup
Make recycling effortless with our scheduled pickup programs. Choose the frequency that works for your operation and we'll handle the rest.
Weekly Pickups
Ideal for high-volume facilities that generate 200+ boxes per week. Keeps your operation running smoothly without storage concerns.
Bi-Weekly Pickups
Perfect for medium-volume operations generating 100-200 boxes every two weeks. Balances convenience and cost-effectiveness.
Monthly Pickups
Great for smaller operations or seasonal businesses. Ensures consistent recycling without the pressure of frequent scheduling.
Program Benefits
- Priority scheduling
- Volume discounts
- Predictable budgeting
- Automated scheduling
- Monthly impact reports
- Dedicated support
Request Scheduled Pickup
Tell us about your volume and we'll create a custom schedule.
Start Recycling Today
Schedule a free pickup and receive your certificate of recycling. Join hundreds of businesses making a positive environmental impact.