Cardboard / Pap
See the most important Danish waste categories and how correct sorting helps materials move on to recycling.
Click a waste category to read more about it.
In short
Cardboard should be clean, dry and empty. Cardboard boxes, tubes and packaging can be recycled when plastic, polystyrene, metal and food residue are removed.
Common mistakes
- Greasy pizza boxes and cardboard with food residue usually do not belong in cardboard.
- Polystyrene, bubble wrap and plastic inserts must be removed and sorted separately.
- Wet or very dirty cardboard can reduce the quality of recycling.
- Paper cups and laminated cardboard often cannot be recycled as ordinary cardboard.
Clean or dirty?
Clean and dry cardboard can be recycled
Cardboard boxes, corrugated cardboard, cardboard tubes and dry cardboard packaging can usually go in cardboard when empty and flattened.
Dirty or wet cardboard must be sorted differently
Cardboard with grease, food residue, liquid or plastic coating often belongs in residual waste. If only a small part is dirty, tear it off and sort the clean part as cardboard.
Check local rules
Danish municipalities may have different rules for pizza boxes, paper cups, food and beverage cartons and how large cardboard boxes may be for household collection. Find your municipality.
Cardboard waste in Denmark
Cardboard is an important recyclable material in the Danish waste system. It is commonly used for boxes, packaging and online deliveries, and the amount of cardboard waste has grown as more people shop online.
How cardboard is recycled
When cardboard is sorted correctly, it is sent to sorting and treatment facilities in Denmark or abroad. The fibres can be reused to make new cardboard and paper products. To keep the recycling quality high, cardboard should be clean and dry. Wet, greasy or food-contaminated cardboard should usually be sorted as residual waste.
FAQ about cardboard
Can pizza boxes go in cardboard?+
Only if they are clean and dry. Greasy pizza boxes or cardboard with food residue usually belong in residual waste because grease and food can reduce recycling quality.
Do tape and labels need to be removed from cardboard boxes?+
Small amounts of tape and labels are usually acceptable. Large plastic parts, polystyrene, plastic inserts and metal must be removed and sorted separately.
Should cardboard be flattened?+
Yes. Cardboard should be folded or cut down so it takes up less space in the bin and is easier to handle during collection.
Are food and beverage cartons cardboard?+
No. Food and beverage cartons are a separate waste type in many Danish municipalities because they are made from several materials.
Can wet cardboard go in cardboard recycling?+
No, wet cardboard usually does not belong in the cardboard fraction. It can weaken the fibres and reduce the quality of cardboard recycling.
Waste items sorted as cardboard / Pap
Beer packaging
Butter tub
Cake box
Cardboard
Cardboard box
Cardboard egg tray
Cardboard package
Cardboard packaging
Cardboard roll
Cardboard tray
Cardboard tube
Carton box
Carton packaging
Chocolate box
Corn starch
Cornflakes
Corrugated cardboard
Egg tray
Gajol packet
Ice lolly wrapper
Kitchen roll
Matchbox
Moving box
Paper plate
Pizza box
Pizza carton
Pokemon card
Record sleeve
Shoe box
Strawberry tray
Tea bag box
Toilet paper
Toilet roll tube
Toothpaste
Trading card
Washing powder in cardboard packaging
Wine pouch