What is the difference between cardboard and paperboard?

Question

I recently began recycling, and the recycling drop-off center that I have been going to has a separate bin for paperboard and cardboard. I was wondering how to tell the difference so as not to cause inconvenience to anyone later on down the road. Thank you very much.

Answer 1

Paperboard or chipboard, as they call it here in my town, is a single layer. Many foods such as crackers, cookies, cereal, pizza, come in paperboard boxes. Cardboard is double layered. Along the edge of a cardboard box, you can see the two layers which make a "sandwich" with accordion-like paper in between the two layers. It's like single pane vs. double pane windows. THose are the types of boxes you'd use to pack and move items because they're sturdier. If you buy an electronics item, it is most likely packed inside a paperboard/chipboard box, which was inside of a cardboard box.



You can also see the difference with many brands of frozen pizza. The box is paperboard, but inside the pizza often sits on cardboard circle (unless it's microwave pizza, which would have a thin microwave circle under the pizza).



Still in doubt? just take a look in the bins at your recycling center and you'll see the difference.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

What is the difference between cardboard and paperboard?

I recently began recycling, and the recycling drop-off center that I have been going to has a separate bin for paperboard and cardboard. I was wondering how to tell the difference so as not to cause inconvenience to anyone later on down the road. Thank you very much.

Answer 3

If you look at a piece of corrugated cardboard from the side, it has a wavy layer in the middle. Paperboard is usually gray and has no layers.

Answer 4

The only difference is the manufacturing process. All the same material.