Cardboard Recycling in Des Moines, IA

Extra cardboard can go to the City drop-off at 110 SE 6th Street (24/7) or MWA dumpsters at three Des Moines libraries.

See all 3 options

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 Des Moines

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

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · Des MoinesNo 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 →
Metro Waste Authority community cardboard recycling drop-offsCounty service · Polk CountyOpen to everyoneFree
How it works
Free, mostly 24/7 cardboard recycling containers placed by Metro Waste Authority throughout the Des Moines metro (Altoona, Ankeny, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines and others). Residential use only; no commercial haulers. Do not leave material on the ground.
Cost & rules
- Containers are emptied most days except Sundays; if full, use another site.
Official page (opens in new tab)
City of Des Moines cardboard drop-off (110 SE 6th Street)City service · Des MoinesCost not listed
How it works
Cardboard-only recycling drop-off run by Des Moines Public Works at 110 SE 6th Street, open 24/7 (Census: Des Moines city). Break boxes down before placing them in the bins.
Cost & rules
- Open 24/7; break down boxes.
Official page (opens in new tab)

Before you go

Check whether you have corrugated boxes, coated packaging or mixed materials.
Remove foam, plastic and other packing inserts.
Flatten boxes and check quantity limits for your program.

More about cardboard

Iowa rules

Iowa households can take household hazardous materials to Regional Collection Centers (RCCs); RCC services are free to residents within each RCC's service area. Source: Iowa DNR: Household Hazardous Materials (opens in new tab)
RCC services for eligible businesses carry a small fee. Source: Iowa DNR: Household Hazardous Materials (opens in new tab)

More Iowa rules (7)

DNR tells residents to find their nearest RCC and schedule an appointment before dropping off hazardous materials. Source: Iowa DNR: Household Hazardous Materials (opens in new tab)
DNR says not to dump hazardous materials in ditches, pour them down drains or sewers, or put them in the trash. Source: Iowa DNR: Household Hazardous Materials (opens in new tab)
Iowa has 28 main RCCs and 43 satellite facilities serving 96 of the state's counties. Source: Iowa DNR: Regional Collection Centers & Grants (opens in new tab)
Some counties are served by RCC mobile collection events run under contract with a main RCC; 29 counties have RCC mobile service. Source: Iowa DNR: Regional Collection Centers & Grants (opens in new tab)
Many RCCs run a Swap Shop where usable products can be dropped off for others to take at no charge. Source: Iowa DNR: Regional Collection Centers & Grants (opens in new tab)
DNR publishes a county-by-county table of the RCC main and satellite facilities that serve each county. Source: Iowa DNR: Regional Collection Centers & Grants (opens in new tab)
Under Iowa Code chapter 455F, regional collection centers keep regular hours when the public may drop off hazardous materials. Source: Iowa Code chapter 455F: Household hazardous materials (opens in new tab)

Where this information comes from (14)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

Recycling Drop-Offs (opens in new tab) · Metro Waste Authority
- All residents are welcome to use the free community drop-offs; they are for residential use only, no commercial haulers. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Cardboard drop-offs are collected most days except Sundays. Checked October 26, 2026.
Recycling (opens in new tab) · City of Des Moines
- Des Moines Public Works offers a cardboard-only drop-off site, open 24/7, at 110 SE 6th Street. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The site is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 110 SE 6th Street. Checked October 26, 2026.
- With MWA and the library, cardboard dumpsters are also at East Side Library (2559 Hubbell Ave.), Franklin Avenue Library (5000 Franklin Ave.) and South Side Library (1111 Porter Ave.). Checked October 26, 2026.
Iowa DNR: Household Hazardous Materials (opens in new tab) · Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- Iowa households can take household hazardous materials to Regional Collection Centers (RCCs); RCC services are free to residents within each RCC's service area. Checked October 26, 2026.
- RCC services for eligible businesses carry a small fee. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DNR tells residents to find their nearest RCC and schedule an appointment before dropping off hazardous materials. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DNR says not to dump hazardous materials in ditches, pour them down drains or sewers, or put them in the trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
Iowa DNR: Regional Collection Centers & Grants (opens in new tab) · Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- Iowa has 28 main RCCs and 43 satellite facilities serving 96 of the state's counties. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Some counties are served by RCC mobile collection events run under contract with a main RCC; 29 counties have RCC mobile service. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Many RCCs run a Swap Shop where usable products can be dropped off for others to take at no charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DNR publishes a county-by-county table of the RCC main and satellite facilities that serve each county. Checked October 26, 2026.
Iowa Code chapter 455F: Household hazardous materials (opens in new tab) · Iowa Legislature (Legislative Services Agency)
- Under Iowa Code chapter 455F, regional collection centers keep regular hours when the public may drop off hazardous materials. Checked October 26, 2026.

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

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