That’s a good example of reuse, not recycling.

Recycling means making new cardboard or paper out of old material.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. That is an ordered list, you move to the next step only after you can done everything you can in the previous step.

The common definition, “Reuse is the action or practice of using an item, whether for its original purpose or to fulfill a different function.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuse Reusing grocery bags as trash bags is the same item in a new context.

“Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recycling

Old tires to footwear is recycling even if you can see the old tread pattern you don’t have a tire at this point it’s a new item, or as I suggested cardboard crap waste to fir on a piece of artwork. The difference is you’re modifying the underlying item for use as part of something new.

It can feel like a grey area. Upcycled is often used when much of the original item remains, but shredded cardboard isn’t really cardboard as it lacks some of its fundamental properties arising from the 3D structure.

If it is clean, can't you also compost it?

Or, you know, just bin the 1/2-ounce of shavings.