Safe cardboard

by Barbiefly Sat 09 Jul 2016, 3:42 am

I've read that you shouldn't use printed papers or cardboard because the inks can be toxic but I notice in a lot of the pictures of people's mouse habitats that cereal boxes and and other boxes like that. Are these inks not toxic? I assume so because you guys wouldn't use them if they were but I had to ask, it's kind of confusing.

by CinnamonPearl Sat 09 Jul 2016, 8:46 am

Those are nontoxic, yes.

by MouseLover Sat 09 Jul 2016, 9:06 am

For newspapers, it depends on what country you live in. Some countries use toxic inks, others don't. The USA uses soy-based inks I believe, and they are non-toxic and safe to use.

As for cereal boxes and things like that - it is quite safe to assume that they would not use toxic inks for food products. So I use any cardboard that has been used to contain food - cereal boxes, egg boxes, etc.

We have all used these things for years with no problems Smile

Hope this helps!

by CallaLily Sat 09 Jul 2016, 9:39 am

I've been told to avoid boxes that are used for frozen foods, but most other food boxes are perfectly safe. Something about the freezer boxes having a coating on them?

by MouseLover Sat 09 Jul 2016, 10:27 am

Good point CallaLily. I don't have any boxes in my freezer so didn't think of that. I think they have a waxy coating?

by Peachy Sat 09 Jul 2016, 11:15 am

I spent hours researching packaging a few months ago. Embarassed

Some frozen food boxes have a plastic resin for wet strength, but some brands (like Kellogg's) use 100% recycled paperboard. Those don't have the plastic coating. I guess it's probably easier to just avoid freezer boxes than track down what type of paperboard different companies use, though. Razz