Cardboard Recycling in Grand Rapids, MI

Flatten cardboard and put it loose in the Grand Rapids recycling cart, broken down to 2 ft x 2 ft. Kent County's Recycling & Education Center on Wealthy St SW also has a free drop-off station on weekdays.

See all 4 options

Illustrative item photographKadarius Seegars / Unsplash

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

4 ways to get rid of a cardboard in Grand Rapids

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

All 4 Free 2 Drop-off 1 Services & pickup 3

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · Grand RapidsNo 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 →
Kent County Recycling & Education Center (drop-off station)Drop-off · 977 Wealthy Street SW, Grand RapidsFree
Where
977 Wealthy Street SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Hours
Recycling drop-off: Monday-Friday 7:30 am-4:30 pm
Cost & rules
Cardboard
AcceptedFree (documented)
Drop-off stations are for people without recycling service where they live.
Preparation: Flatten boxes and cut them to 2 ft x 2 ft or smaller; remove tape, strapping and foam.
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)
Kent County North Kent and South Kent Recycling & Waste CentersCounty service · Kent CountyFree
How it works
Two Kent County DPW drop-off sites for trash, appliances, tires, scrap metal, electronics and recycling: North Kent Recycling & Waste Center, 2908 Ten Mile Road, Rockford, MI 49341 (Census: Plainfield charter township), Monday-Saturday 7:30 am-5 pm; South Kent Recycling & Waste Center (South Kent Landfill), 10300 South Kent Drive, Byron Center, MI 49315 (the Census geocoder returned no match; outside Grand Rapids, Wyoming and Kentwood), Monday-Saturday (weekday closing listed as 4:30 pm on the drop-off page and 5 pm on the facility page). South Kent takes cardboard only for recycling. Fees from the county rate sheet effective October 1, 2026.
Cost & rules
- South Kent takes cardboard only; North Kent takes all single-stream recycling.
Official page (opens in new tab)
Grand Rapids single-stream curbside recyclingCity service · Grand RapidsGrand Rapids residentsCost not listed
How it works
City of Grand Rapids single-stream recycling cart service. Paper and cardboard go loose in the cart; break boxes down to 2 ft x 2 ft. No batteries, small appliances or electrical items in the cart.
Cost & rules
- Before you go: Flatten and break boxes down to 2 ft x 2 ft; remove liners, strapping and heavy staples.
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 (14)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

Other Electronics (opens in new tab) · Kent County Department of Public Works
- The electronics drop-offs are for residents only and do not accept commercial e-waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
Recycling Drop-Off Locations (opens in new tab) · Kent County Department of Public Works
- Kent County recycling drop-off stations are currently free to all residents; no business, farm or school recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The drop-off stations are meant for people who do not have recycling where they live. Checked October 26, 2026.
- South Kent does not take all single-stream recycling, only cardboard. Checked October 26, 2026.
Cardboard (opens in new tab) · Kent County Department of Public Works
- Corrugated cardboard is accepted at the Recycling & Education Center; boxes must be flattened and cut to 2x2 feet or smaller. Checked October 26, 2026.
Solid Waste Disposal & Recycling Rates (effective October 1, 2026) (opens in new tab) · Kent County Department of Public Works
- CRT monitors and TVs: 27 inches and under $20 (Kent County resident) or $30 (non-resident); 28 inches and larger $40 (resident) or $50 (non-resident). Checked October 26, 2026.
- Single-stream recyclables from residents are free. Checked October 26, 2026.
Single Stream Recycling Program (opens in new tab) · City of Grand Rapids Public Works
- Place paper and cardboard in the recycling cart; break boxes down to 2 ft x 2 ft and flatten. 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