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Cardboard Recycling in Ann Arbor, MI

Flattened cardboard goes in Ann Arbor's curbside recycling cart. Extra cardboard can go to the Drop-Off Station, where it is covered by the $3 gate fee (waived with a resident pass).

See all 3 options
Stacked brown cardboard boxes
Illustrative item photographKadarius Seegars / Unsplash (opens in new tab)

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

3 ways to get rid of a cardboard in Ann Arbor

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

  1. CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · Ann ArborNo 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 →

  2. Drop-Off Station (Recycle Ann Arbor)Drop-off · 2950 East Ellsworth Rd, Ann ArborOpen to everyone$3/visit
    Where

    2950 East Ellsworth Rd
    Ann Arbor, MI 48108

    Hours

    Tue & Thu 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Fri & Sat 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Sun, Mon, Wed. Credit cards only.

    Cost & rules

    Cardboard

    AcceptedFees apply
    Fees for cardboard
    Residential gate fee (per day; waived with Ann Arbor resident pass)$3.00 per visit
    • Ann Arbor residents can apply for a pass that waives the $3 gate fee; item fees still apply.

    Full details & sourcesOfficial site (opens in new tab)

  3. Ann Arbor curbside recyclingCity service · Ann ArborAnn Arbor residentsCost not listed
    How it works

    City-managed recycling carts for single-family and duplex homes and recycling carts or dumpsters for multi-family buildings. Flattened cardboard goes in the cart; bulky items, electronics and batteries do not.

    Cost & rules
    • Before you go: Flatten cardboard. Clean recyclables only, not bagged.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

Before you go

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

Michigan rules

More Michigan rules (4)
Where this information comes from (13)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

  • Drop-Off Station (opens in new tab) · Recycle Ann Arbor
    • The Drop-Off Station serves residents and businesses in Washtenaw County and beyond; electronics, appliances, freon appliances and tires are among the hard-to-recycle materials it takes. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Drop-Off Station Prices (opens in new tab) · Recycle Ann Arbor
    • All customers pay a gate fee, once per day: residential $3 per day, large volume (2 yards and up) $15 per day. Additional fees apply by material. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The gate fee covers traditional recycling, including cardboard and metal cans and scrap metal (non-electrical items). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Drop-Off Options (opens in new tab) · City of Ann Arbor
    • Ann Arbor residents can apply for a Drop-Off Station pass that waives the gate entry fee (currently $3); fees still apply for large items and some hard-to-recycle materials. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The gate-fee pass is only for Ann Arbor residents, not commercial users. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Recycle (opens in new tab) · City of Ann Arbor
    • Cardboard (must be flattened) goes in the Ann Arbor recycling cart, loose and clean. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Recycling carts are required unless a location uses an approved recycling dumpster; all carts are managed by the city. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • EGLE: Household hazardous waste (opens in new tab) · Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
    • EGLE: take leftover household hazardous products to a local collection when one is available; never pour them down a storm drain or household drain. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • If there is no local collection, EGLE says to ask your trash hauler for instructions on safe disposal in the regular trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • EGLE: Landfill Prohibited Materials and Special Wastes (guidance, rev. 3/2021) (opens in new tab) · Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
    • Household hazardous waste (solvents, cleansers, pesticides) is not banned from Michigan landfills, though EGLE says it is not well suited to them. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • EGLE: Where can I take my household hazardous waste? (opens in new tab) · Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
    • HHW collections are run by local governments or commercial recyclers; many are temporary or seasonal, so call before going. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • EGLE keeps a county-by-county list of local collection contacts; if your community is not listed, call your city, township or county. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • EGLE suggests looking for retail take-back of electronics, batteries, light bulbs, medications, motor oil and antifreeze when buying replacements. 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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