PAP 20 recycling symbol: corrugated cardboard code

At a glance

What this symbol means

PAP 20 identifies corrugated fibreboard: board built with one or more fluted paper layers between flat liner layers.

Read the number and abbreviation as the material identifier. The surrounding triangle can vary between labels and does not itself prove local recyclability.

Recognition

How to recognise it

Look for PAP and the number 20, often inside or below a triangular material-code outline.
Corrugated board normally shows a wavy or fluted middle layer when viewed at a cut edge.

Typical applications

Where it commonly appears

shipping and e-commerce boxes
appliance and furniture cartons
produce trays and corrugated protective inserts

Practical decision

How to sort or dispose of it

Use the local paper/cardboard collection when the box is dry, reasonably clean and accepted.
Flatten boxes to save collection space unless the operator says otherwise.
Treat wax-coated, heavily food-soiled or plastic-laminated board according to the local rule rather than the PAP code alone.

Before disposal or return

Remove product contents, foam blocks and plastic bags.
Cut or fold very large boxes only if required for the container.
Tape and staples may be tolerated by some mills, but follow the local instruction.

Avoid contamination

Common mistakes

Confusing PAP 20 with PAP 21 non-corrugated cartonboard.

Putting wet or grease-saturated board into a clean paper stream.

Assuming a multi-layer drink carton is PAP 20.

Important limitation

What it does not mean

The code identifies the main material of the coded component. It does not prove local recyclability, cleanliness, recycled content or acceptance of a complete multi-component package.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell PAP 20 from PAP 21?

PAP 20 has a fluted internal layer; PAP 21 is flat non-corrugated fibreboard such as folding cartonboard.

Do I need to remove all tape and staples?

Not always. Many processes can handle small amounts, but the collection operator’s instruction is decisive.

Can a pizza box be PAP 20?

Yes, but clean sections may have a different disposal route from heavily food-soiled sections, depending on local rules.

Direct answer

Open the matching question guide

Verification

Sources

EU Decision 97/129/EC — Packaging material identification systemOpen source ↗Regulation (EU) 2025/40 — Packaging and packaging wasteOpen source ↗

Sources checked 15 August 2026