Cardboard Recycling in Detroit, MI

Detroit's opt-in curbside recycling takes flattened cardboard in the blue cart, and Recycle Here! on Lincoln Street accepts cardboard free.

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 Detroit

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

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · DetroitNo 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 →
Recycle Here!Drop-off · 5960 Lincoln St., DetroitFree
Where
5960 Lincoln St.
Detroit, MI 48208
Hours
Monday and Wednesday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost & rules
Cardboard
AcceptedFree (documented)
Preparation: Flatten cardboard (brown-paper material only).
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)
Detroit Recycles opt-in curbside recyclingCity service · DetroitDetroit residentsFree
How it works
Free opt-in curbside recycling for single-family homes and buildings with 1-4 units; residents must request a blue cart (free via the online game or Green Living Science, or $25 from the hauler). Collected weekly.
Cost & rules
- Opt-in: request a blue recycling cart first.
- Before you go: Flatten cardboard and put it inside the cart.
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

Michigan rules

EGLE: take leftover household hazardous products to a local collection when one is available; never pour them down a storm drain or household drain. Source: EGLE: Household hazardous waste (opens in new tab)
If there is no local collection, EGLE says to ask your trash hauler for instructions on safe disposal in the regular trash. Source: EGLE: Household hazardous waste (opens in new tab)

More Michigan rules (4)

Household hazardous waste (solvents, cleansers, pesticides) is not banned from Michigan landfills, though EGLE says it is not well suited to them. Source: EGLE: Landfill Prohibited Materials and Special Wastes (guidance, rev. 3/2021) (opens in new tab)
HHW collections are run by local governments or commercial recyclers; many are temporary or seasonal, so call before going. Source: EGLE: Where can I take my household hazardous waste? (opens in new tab)
EGLE keeps a county-by-county list of local collection contacts; if your community is not listed, call your city, township or county. Source: EGLE: Where can I take my household hazardous waste? (opens in new tab)
EGLE suggests looking for retail take-back of electronics, batteries, light bulbs, medications, motor oil and antifreeze when buying replacements. Source: EGLE: Where can I take my household hazardous waste? (opens in new tab)

Where this information comes from (11)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

Recycle Here! Drop-off Facility (opens in new tab) · City of Detroit Department of Public Works
- Recycle Here! is free for all Detroit residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Cardboard is accepted if flattened, brown-paper material only. Checked October 26, 2026.
Detroit Recycles (opens in new tab) · City of Detroit Department of Public Works
- Since 2014 Detroit has offered free curbside recycling to single-family homes and buildings with 1-4 units, on an opt-in basis. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Cardboard is accepted in the blue cart: flatten all cardboard and place it inside the cart. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Residents must request a recycling cart to opt in. 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.

How we check our information