Can Egg Boxes Be Recycled in the UK?
Eggs are a common household item in the United Kingdom, where about thirty-six million eggs are used every single day. As such, egg boxes can start to pile up very quickly, but it would be wasteful to throw them away. Can egg boxes be recycled in the UK?
Yes. For the most part, egg boxes can officially be recycled by dropping them off at your local recycling scheme. A majority of locations in the UK will accept cardboard egg boxes, but not all places will accept plastic egg boxes. Be sure to ask your council for confirmation.
How else might you be able to recycle egg boxes? Let’s find out.
How to Officially Recycle Egg Boxes
Cardboard egg boxes are much easier to officially recycle than plastic egg boxes. Here’s how you can recycle egg boxes in the United Kingdom:
Cardboard Egg Boxes
Most household recycling centers in the UK will accept cardboard egg boxes via curbside drop off, as cardboard is much easier to break down, and it is not as harsh on the environment as plastic is when it is being broken down.
While most locations do accept cardboard egg boxes, ask your council first, as some areas have special recycling procedures for cardboard materials. If they do take cardboard egg boxes, be sure to flatten the boxes and remove any tape or inserts before you put them in your recycling bin.
You should also check the cardboard for stains like dirt, grease, or food. If you do find any stains, unfortunately, these can’t be recycled so you will need to put the flattened egg box in with your general waste.
Plastic Egg Boxes
Some places do accept plastic egg boxes for recycling, and it doesn’t hurt to ask your council. If you can, put plastic egg boxes in your recycling bin. However, you may have to throw your plastic egg boxes away if you do not plan on reusing them.
Plastic egg boxes that are now made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic can usually be recycled, though, as this plastic is lighter and easier to recycle than the more rigid plastic.
Many Tesco’s have started selling eggs in PET plastic, and this information should be printed on the egg box.
Other Ways to Recycle Egg Boxes
If you can’t recycle your egg boxes in an official way, or you have so many that you may as well reuse some of them, here are a few ways to recycle egg boxes for use around your house:
Storage
Some people like to use egg boxes for extra storage since they already have many compartments. Egg boxes make excellent storage containers for small items like jewelry or crafting components like beads and buttons.
Children especially seem to enjoy using egg boxes for storage, so that is always an option, as well. They can keep collections or small toys in these boxes.
Crafts
In addition to being used to store craft items, egg boxes are great for being turned into craft projects. Even if you can’t come up with any crafts to use them for, many schools will accept them as donations so the kids can use them for future craft projects.
Compost
Cardboard egg boxes can be broken down in compost so long as you break them into smaller pieces. Wetting the cardboard also helps it rot faster.
While plastic egg boxes can’t be added to a compost, they can be used for holding compost as a sort of makeshift row of tiny pots. These plastic compost containers can then be placed on the windowsill if you choose to plant seeds.
Reuse
If you start buying your eggs from a local market or store that is packaging-free, you should be able to simply reuse an egg box for its original purpose. Look up package free stores near you to explore this option.
Conclusion
If you are more interested in recycling your egg boxes the traditional way, you will have a much easier time if you buy cardboard egg boxes, as most places in the UK will accept them.
Always check the cardboard for stains, in which case it should be thrown away.
All types of egg boxes can be recycled around the house, or you could donate them to schools for reuse if you don’t want them in your home.