Cardboard and paper recycling
Where resource waste becomes pulp fictionThe market leader in circular cardboard and paper recycling
Unlike many recyclers who cherry-pick only the cleanest, most profitable streams, MYGroup is engineered to handle the cardboard and paper waste others can’t or won’t, from wax-coated boxes, food-soiled or wet cardboard, to plastic-laminated papers or confidential documents. It’s what we call ‘the 25%’ and what sets us apart, turning even the most challenging cardboard and paper waste into new, regenerative value.
Unlike many recyclers who cherry-pick only the cleanest, most profitable streams, MYGroup is engineered to handle the cardboard and paper waste others can’t or won’t, from wax-coated boxes, food-soiled or wet cardboard, to plastic-laminated papers or confidential documents. It’s what we call ‘the 25%’ and what sets us apart, turning even the most challenging cardboard and paper waste into new, regenerative value.
Recovering the lost 25%: When flat-pack thinking doesn’t cut it
Retail, e-commerce and distribution:
Offices, schools and print sites:
Manufacturing and packaging industries:
Households:
While cardboard and paper are highly recyclable and the UK recycling rate reaching nearly 75% in 2024, a significant proportion still goes unrecovered. This ‘lost 25%’ is largely down to contamination and poor segregation, with otherwise recyclable cardboard and paper spoiled by food or liquids and ending up in general waste. Greasy pizza boxes, soggy or dirty paper are just a few examples of reduced quality that can render entire loads unrecyclable.
Meanwhile, regulatory expectations are tightening. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) now holds businesses financially accountable for packaging recycling, with cardboard and paper facing the highest recycling targets. Global export markets are also tightening standards, with price volatility meaning mills increasingly reject low-grade or spoiled fibre. Moreover, exporting waste represents a lost opportunity for the domestic market and increased, unsustainable emissions.
In this context, partnering with a UK-based recycler that can reliably manage materials is more critical than ever. MYGroup’s closed-loop infrastructure and ability to recover difficult fibre streams help clients turn paper and card waste from a liability into a strategic advantage – reinforcing sustainability credentials, reducing exposure to export risk and ensuring no useful fibre goes to waste.
Did you know?
Recycling one tonne of paper can save up to
17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water.
Thinking outside the box: Our end-to-end, sustainable solution for cardboard and paper waste recovery
Full-spectrum cardboard and paper waste recovery with MYGroup
All grades processed – from pristine office paper to laminated and food-soiled cardboard
Mixed and composite loads accepted
Confidential and sensitive documents handled under full permit
On-site shredding, baling and destruction
UK-wide collections and provision of client-site machinery
Verified weighing, documentation and ESG reporting
Specialist resource recovery: Helping every fibre find its place
Every load is assessed, sorted and directed to its most appropriate, legally compliant end use under Environment Agency permits – maximising material value while minimising environmental impact.
Unlike many providers that simply collect and bale cardboard and paper waste for export, MYGroup manages the recovery process entirely in-house. All incoming material at our Sherburn in Elmet facility is assessed for grade, condition and contamination, then deconstructed and treated to remove adhesives, tapes, laminated layers, food residues or other interferences.
For sensitive waste, such as confidential documents, printed packaging or branded assets, MYGroup offers secure destruction with full certification, giving clients complete peace of mind around data protection and security.
This includes:
- Certified weights at the point of drop-off or collection
- Clear grading and material categorisation
- Complete documentation for waste and compliance
- Carbon and circularity metrics aligned with ESG and EPR standards
Did you know? Recycling one ton of cardboard or paper saves
Gallons of oil
Kw of Electricity
CU Yards of Landfill
Trees
Gallons of water
What types of cardboard and paper do we recover, and how?
- Corrugated cardboard (OCC): Brown boxes and other transit containers, as well as packaging offcuts, are baled and returned to UK mills for reprocessing into new cardboard products.
- Mixed paper: Items such as magazines, catalogues, junk mail, shredded paper and light card are sorted and cleaned to meet mill specifications, or fed into composite recovery routes.
- Office and graphic paper (SOW): High-grade white paper from offices, print shops and schools is prioritised for recycling into new writing or copier paper, where quality permits.
- Contaminated or composite fibre: Paper and card with food, grease or liquid damage, poly-coated cartons and laminated or waxed board go through specialist processing and recovery, always avoiding landfill or incineration.
- Confidential, sensitive or proprietary materials: Documents, branded packaging, printed assets, or product recalls go through secure, auditable destruction on-site before entering new recovery streams.
Beyond compliance, to regeneration:
A partnership to turn cardboard and paper waste recovery into lasting value
MYGroup empowers clients to do more than simply keep up. Through our circular cardboard and paper recycling service, we can recover even the most contaminated, awkward, or low-grade waste, helping them lead and deliver clear, measurable progress toward Net Zero, underpinned by transparent data and real-time reporting.
With additional value delivered through our ReFactory and SchoolCycled opportunities, MYGroup transforms cardboard and paper recovery into something greater: a regenerative approach that gives every sheet a second story.
Why choose MYGroup for cardboard and paper waste?
From food-soiled boxes and laminated board, to wax-coated cartons and sensitive, confidential or branded materials, we’ve invested in the people, processes and platforms to make the most of what others reject. Whether it ends up back in the supply chain as a new corrugated box or as a ReFactory creation, your cardboard and paper waste doesn’t just get recycled, it gets reimagined.
- UK-based collection and recovery
- No material to landfill or incineration
- All cardboard and paper grades accepted, including mixed, composite and contaminated
- Specialist capabilities for the ‘25%’ others can’t or won’t touch
- Transparent ESG and carbon reporting
- Wider commercial and CSR impact through ReFactory and SchoolCycled
At MYGroup, cardboard and paper are never just waste – they’re a resource stream with real value. From low-grade, contaminated loads to materials others reject, we give every fibre a second shot , reducing reliance on virgin materials and initiatives to help clients turn what they discard every day into long-term regeneration.
Circular cardboard and paper waste management for your business
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