Cardboard fibres can technically be reprocessed even when damp, but wet, mouldy or rotting material is treated differently from dry cardboard at every stage, from mill acceptance to how we assess a collection.
Why Moisture Matters for Recycling
Paper and board mills work to recognised European specifications, such as EN 643, which set requirements covering unwanted materials and condition for paper and board sent for recycling (CEPI/PITA, EN 643 guidance). Recovered paper supply guidelines used by UK paper mill groups also set out moisture content requirements and rejection limits covering humidity, age, odour and rotting as part of delivery evaluation (DS Smith Recycling supply guidelines). Excess moisture can affect weight-based measurement, cause mould or rot, and in some cases make a load unsuitable for acceptance.
What This Means for Your Bales
If your bales have been exposed to rain, a leak, or damp storage conditions, the cardboard inside may still be recyclable, but it cannot be assumed to meet a standard acceptance without assessment. Wet weight is also not the same as dry weight, which matters when a load is priced or weighed.
How We Assess Wet or Damaged Bales
We do not give a blanket acceptance or rejection statement for wet or damaged cardboard. Instead, we ask for photos and details of the affected bales as part of your enquiry, so the condition can be properly assessed before a quote or collection arrangement is confirmed. This is the same approach we take for contaminated or poorly secured bales.
Please do not attempt to move, restack or repair unstable wet bales yourself; describe the situation and send photos, and we will advise on next steps as part of the assessment.
Preventing Water Damage Where Possible
Where practical, storing bales under cover and away from standing water reduces the risk of them becoming wet before collection. This is a general storage consideration rather than a guarantee that any level of dampness will be rejected or accepted; each load is still assessed on its own condition.
Getting an Assessment for Wet Cardboard
If some or all of your cardboard bales have got wet, damaged or contaminated, tell us when you enquire and include photos. We will review the details and confirm whether collection can proceed and on what terms. See our collection requirements page for what else we need to assess a load, and our pricing page for how condition can affect a quote.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute professional or legal advice. For guidance on your specific waste, please contact our team.