Why has cardboard scrap value changed so much with the rise of online shopping and e-commerce packaging?
Short answer: The surge in home deliveries has massively increased the overall supply of cardboard packaging entering the recycling stream, which — combined with shifting global demand for recycled fibre and periodic disruptions to export markets — has made cardboard pricing considerably more volatile than it used to be, with genuine swings up and down rather than a stable, predictable rate.
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E-commerce delivery volumes have dramatically increased the amount of cardboard packaging households and businesses generate — more supply, all else equal, puts downward pressure on price, though demand has also grown for the same reason.
Demand and export markets add volatility
Global demand for recycled fibre, including shifts in which countries accept imported recyclable paper, has caused real disruptions and price swings over the past several years — cardboard pricing today is genuinely less predictable than it was previously.
What this means practically
Don’t assume the rate you got last time is still current — cardboard and paper pricing moves more than some other scrap categories, so it’s worth checking current rates close to when you’re actually selling.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
ScrapTrade’s listings reflect current buyer interest and pricing for paper and cardboard, so you’re working from today’s market rather than a rate that may already be outdated.
Ready to sell or source paper and cardboard scrap without the guesswork? ScrapTrade connects verified buyers and sellers with escrow-protected payments and transparent weighing.
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