After use, how should a cardboard emery be disposed of?

The correct approach to disposing of a cardboard emery board focuses on hygiene and safety. After use, it's important to break the emery board in half and discard it. This method prevents the risk of reusing a tool that cannot be adequately sanitized, as cardboard cannot be properly cleaned to remove bacteria or pathogens after contact with a client's nails or skin.

Sanitizing or storing a used emery board is not advisable because it can harbor germs and contaminants, posing a risk of infection to other clients. Reusing the emery board until it is worn out is not a safe practice, as it likewise invites cross-contamination. While recycling may be environmentally friendly, the emery board's potential to harbor pathogens means it should not be submitted for recycling, where it might be reused inappropriately. Therefore, breaking it in half and discarding it is the best practice for maintaining sanitation standards in manicure services.