Cardboard Recycling in Wilmette, IL

Flattened, cut cardboard goes in the LRS recycling cart that Wilmette households get at no charge.

Illustrative item photographKadarius Seegars / Unsplash

Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check

3 ways to get rid of a cardboard in Wilmette

Tap an option to see the address, hours, cost and rules.

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · WilmetteNo haulingWe recycle it for youFrom $80.00
How it works
Book online, set out your cardboard and we’ll pick it up and recycle it for you. You see your price before you book and pay only after pickup.
Book a pickup →
Wilmette bulk item, appliance and recycling collection (LRS)Pickup service · WilmetteFree
How it works
LRS, Wilmette's hauler since January 2024, accepts bulk items (sofas, love seats, sectional pieces, chairs, mattresses, box springs, bed frames) each week next to the trash cart; items over 100 lbs must be scheduled. Appliances, including refrigerators, washers, dryers and microwaves, must be prescheduled with LRS (844.633.3577). Recycling, including flattened cardboard, uses an LRS cart provided at no charge.
Cost & rules
- Before you go: Flatten and cut cardboard boxes.
Official page (opens in new tab)
Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM Center)Drop-off · outside Wilmette · 15800 State St., South HollandCook County residentsFree
Where
15800 State St.
South Holland, IL 60473
Hours
Tue 8 a.m.-noon; Thu 1-5 p.m.; 2nd and 4th Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May close in bad weather.
Cost & rules
Cardboard
AcceptedFree (documented)
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)

Illinois EPA says state and federal law allow household hazardous waste to go out with residential garbage, but taking it to an HHW collection is more protective. Source: Illinois EPA: Household Hazardous Wastes (opens in new tab)

Where this information comes from (6)

Checked October 26, 2026

Illinois EPA: Household Hazardous Wastes (opens in new tab) · Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
- Illinois EPA says state and federal law allow household hazardous waste to go out with residential garbage, but taking it to an HHW collection is more protective. Checked October 26, 2026.
LRS: Village of Wilmette Garbage, Recycling & Organics Collection Program (opens in new tab) · Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS)
- Cardboard is accepted in recycling; boxes must be flattened and cut. Checked October 26, 2026.
- LRS provides one recycling cart per household at no charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (opens in new tab) · Cook County
- The CHaRM Center is a permanent recycling drop-off facility available to Cook County residents; commercial and industrial waste is not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Paper and cardboard accepted include moving boxes, food boxes and shipping boxes. Checked October 26, 2026.
Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) Services (opens in new tab) · South Suburban College
- Drop-off is free to residential customers only; proof of residency may be required. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.