Wax = Plastic
The “wax” that you can scrape off is actually polyethylene, a plastic that keeps the cardboard inside from getting soggy. Waxed cardboard is mostly used by retailers (for shipping produce), so unless you’ve brought your groceries home in a produce box, you most likely don’t have it in your home.
Alternative Ways to Recycle
Enviro-Log Recycling Program
Recycling company Enviro-Log offers retailers a recycling program for waxed cardboard. Retailers who are interested in participating can have their waxed cardboard diverted from the landfill and sent to Enviro-Log, where it will be repurposed. Interested retailers can find out more here.