Paper & Cardboard (PAP 20–22)
Recycling binPaper and cardboard: widely recycled. Flatten and put in your recycling bin.
Which bin?
Flatten and put in your recycling bin. Remove tape and plastic windows.
What does it mean?
These codes identify paper and cardboard packaging. PAP 20 is corrugated cardboard (the thick, layered stuff used for delivery boxes). PAP 21 is non-corrugated cardboard (cereal boxes, shoe boxes). PAP 22 is paper (wrapping, bags, newspapers). All three are widely recycled across the UK. Flatten them and put in your recycling bin. Remove any tape or plastic windows first.
Variants
PAP 20 · Corrugated Cardboard
Recycling binCorrugated cardboard (delivery boxes, shipping cartons). Widely recycled.
Flatten and put in your recycling bin.
PAP 21 · Non-Corrugated Cardboard
Recycling binThin cardboard (cereal boxes, shoe boxes, packaging sleeves). Widely recycled.
Flatten, remove plastic windows, and put in your recycling bin.
PAP 22 · Paper
Recycling binPaper (newspapers, magazines, paper bags, office paper). Widely recycled.
Put in your recycling bin. Glittery or metallic paper goes in general waste.
PAP 20 vs PAP 21 vs PAP 22
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Code | Material | Typical packaging | How to tell | Usual bin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAP 20 | Corrugated cardboard | Delivery boxes, shipping cartons | Wavy middle layer between two flat sheets, thick and rigid | Recycling |
| PAP 21 | Non-corrugated cardboard | Cereal boxes, shoe boxes, packaging sleeves | Single thin layer, bends easily, no wavy core | Recycling |
| PAP 22 | Paper | Newspapers, magazines, paper bags, wrapping paper | Thin and flexible, no card stiffness | Recycling (unless glittery, metallic or laminated) |
Frequently asked questions
Is PAP 21 recyclable in the UK?
Yes. PAP 21 is non-corrugated cardboard (the thinner card used for cereal boxes, shoe boxes and packaging sleeves), and it's widely accepted in UK kerbside recycling. Flatten it and remove any plastic windows before it goes in your recycling bin.
What is the difference between PAP 20 and PAP 21?
Both are cardboard, but the thickness is different. PAP 20 is corrugated cardboard: a wavy, ribbed layer sandwiched between two flat sheets, used for delivery boxes and shipping cartons. PAP 21 is non-corrugated: a single, thinner sheet used for cereal boxes, shoe boxes and packaging sleeves. Both are widely recycled. Flatten either before putting it out.
Which bin does PAP 22 go in?
PAP 22 is paper (newspapers, magazines, office paper, paper bags and plain wrapping paper), and it goes in your recycling bin. The exception is glittery, metallic or laminated wrapping paper: if it springs back instead of staying scrunched when you test it, it's got plastic in it and belongs in general waste.
Do card and paper go in the same bin?
Usually, but not everywhere. It's worth checking your council. Most UK councils collect paper and cardboard together in one recycling bin or box. Bristol is an example of one that splits them: cardboard goes in the blue bag while paper goes in the black box. If your council runs separate collections and you mix the two, the wrong box can be rejected.