You’re probably thinking that’s a trick question. It’s a box, of course, it’s recycled!! And it’s true. In Spruce Grove, yes you can put it into your blue bag.

When it comes to the exact technicalities handling a Kleenex box as it is, no, it’s not recyclable.

I’m going to say that again. If the box is as it is, it’s not technically recyclable.

Why?

It’s quite a simple answer and quite easy to fix. It’s mixed material. While it’s mostly cardboard, it does have that bit of film plastic on the top where you pull out your tissues.

Spruce Grove doesn’t recycle film plastic so all that little piece does is create contamination in the recycling (contamination = things that should’t be there).

Why is that so important? The answer for this is a little bit more muddied. I don’t have the inside track for Spruce Grove Waste Services, so I’ll tell you what I do know about another municipal waste system.

Things taken in for recycling are sorted into material types with some machine assistance and made into bales. The sorted bales are then sold to market. The companies who buy those bails want a high-quality product. They don’t want to have to sort it again on their end. And if they’re getting contaminated bales, they’re not going to keep buying them and then we’re going to be in trouble. All that recycling and nowhere for it to go. Not to mention lost revenue for the seller.

Thankfully, when it comes to the Kleenex box, the contamination is so small that it’s actually okay for us to recycle it.

But if you’re concerned, the fix is easy. Take off the plastic film and throw it in the garbage. Remember, Spruce Grove doesn’t recycle film plastic. After that’s removed, break down the box so it lays flat and pop that thing into your blue bag.

I hope that helps! If you have any questions, let me know! I’d love to hear from you.

Have a great day!

L