Cardboard is a material that is produced by adhering multiple layers of paper pulp, which are glued together by moisture, compressed, and then dried through evaporation. With the drying process, the cardboard becomes consistent.
Cardboard has greater resistance than paper. It is a harder element and, generally, thicker. That is why it is used for the manufacture of boxes, containers and packaging and to protect certain products . When the cardboard is very thin, it is called cardstock and is used for writing or printing on it.
For example: “I need a cardboard box to store those old books” , “Wine in cardboard packaging is usually cheaper than that sold in glass bottles” , “As the table was moving, I placed a piece of cardboard under one of its legs so that it is firm.”
The container made of cardboard is often called, simply, cardboard : “I go to the store to buy a carton of milk and come back,” “Try not to crush the juice cartons,” “Cigarette cartons are becoming more expensive every day.” .
Cards, on the other hand, are called cards that present numbers to play bingo or lottery : “I have three cards, I hope to win,” “I can't find the winning card!” , “I ran out of money, I can't buy more cardboard.”
It should be noted that cardboard can be recycled . People who are dedicated to collecting cardboard thrown into the trash and then selling it to manufacturers, who reuse it as raw material, are known as cartoneros .
Ideas to recycle cardboard
Although most people throw away everything that no longer serves them, with cardboard boxes and plastic packaging being two of the most common items, some choose to recycle , an activity that allows us to give them new life. to these materials, while contributing to the environment and saving some money.
There are a large number of ideas for recycling the cardboard of the products we buy every day, and many of them do not require special skill. When we finally discover the potential of what we previously considered simply "old boxes", cardboard becomes a kind of treasure that opens the doors to decoration and creativity.
Handmade corrugated cardboard lamps are among the favorites, largely because the degree of complexity of the design adapts to each person's skills and experience without negatively impacting the result. For those who are just taking their first steps into the world of recycling, the ideal is to look for lamp models that use large sheets of cardboard arranged around the electric bulb; Experts, meanwhile, can embark on complex creations using thin strips of cardboard to achieve a truly fascinating finish.
On the other hand, there are cardboard shelves , which present a somewhat greater difficulty since they must be well constructed to resist the weight and not lose balance. Needless to say, they are not recommended for heavy objects, but rather for papers and small decorations. Just like the lamps, they can be painted and decorated as we wish, combining with other materials as desired.
Animal lovers can use cardboard to build attractive beds or kennels with little money. Once again, the limit is imposed by creativity , since this material is versatile enough to create all types of designs much more easily than when working with wood.