Uses for Unrecyclable "Refined Cardboard"

[GenB]

Our local recycling center does not take "refined" cardboard (cardboard from boxes of cereal, cookies, anything with printing on it.) Needless to say, this leaves me with quite a bit of trash that I would LOVE to not have to toss into the trash can.

Any ideas on what can be done with it? Can it be composted?

I try to be careful when I purchase things but so many things at the grocery store come in this type of cardboard box!! Help!!

[lunar forest]

[frogguruami]

Rip it up into small pieces and put it in the compost. Or befriend someone in a neighboring county that can recycle it.

[Raw Vegan Mama]

Gardeners will use it in their garden, just like newspaper. It keeps the weeds down, and it is usually covered in straw after it is laid down in the garden paths. It will then compost into the garden.

[LittleSaylorBoat]

Our area takes it. Can you collect it somewhere for a few months and then drive it somewhere that will take it?

[lunar forest]

Our city takes them, but my kids like to make things out of them. We are always running short of craft supplies, and these boxes are sturdy but easy to cut. Really perfect! And clearly that saves me from buying something new (recycled or otherwise) to make crafts with. It's a win win.

[LaughingHyena]

I don't see why you couldn't compost it.

Other ideas
Cut them down into file holders to organize paperwork
Junk modeling/kids crafts
Cut off the tops and use the bottoms to plant seeds (we do this with cardboard tubes, then instead of having to take the plant out just plant the tube)

[GenB]

The closest place to take this stuff is almost 2 hours away. Unfortunately, with gas the way it is, that's not an option. In our part of the country, sad but true, recycling hasn't really caught on. Its not convenient enough for most people (we don't have curbside) so its not terribly cost-efficient for the city, either. Its kind of a vicious cycle. There is a tremendous amount of poverty here and most people just won't take the time to collect things and cart their stuff to the recycling center. I've even had affluent friends just wave their hands in the air and tell me it's just a pain in the #&& and their not interested. Geez.

I like the ideas of using them for crafts. My kids are too old for that, but our lower school is probably not! There are several elementary schools around here that might use them. I'm going to also tear off the shiny label part and compost the rest on some of it too. Good ideas, mama!! Thanks!!