Avoid the cardboard tearing requirement by going to a self-serve recycling center

You might have heard that the city of Charlotte has changed its rules for recycling cardboard. You’re supposed to tear them into squares 18 inches by 18 inches instead of breaking them down and putting them in the bin.

[Agenda story: You’re not supposed to put cardboard boxes directly in the recycling anymore]

There is an alternative: Self-service recycling centers.

Instead of spending an hour tearing up boxes, I shoved them all in the trunk of my car and stopped by one of these places while running errands the other day.

They accept cardboard, paper, cans, plastic jugs and glass bottles. There are 7 of them.

More info and full addresses here.

I went to the one at William R. Davie Park (#7), but as you can see, there are quite a few of these places.

You just drive up, shove your stuff in the big blue bins, and head out.

Easy. But do follow the rules.