Cardboard Recycling in Pittsburgh, PA

Flatten cardboard and put it in a box or bin for Pittsburgh’s bi-weekly recycling, or take it to the 24-hour Strip District drop-off.

See all 7 options

Illustrative item photographKadarius Seegars / Unsplash

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

7 ways to get rid of a cardboard in Pittsburgh

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

All 7 Drop-off 5 Services & pickup 2

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · PittsburghNo 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 →
City of Pittsburgh Public Works drop-off – East End (DPW 2nd Division)Drop-off · 6814 Hamilton Ave, PittsburghPittsburgh residentsCost not listed
Where
6814 Hamilton Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Hours
Mon–Sat 8 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Cost & rules
Cardboard
AcceptedCost unknown
Fees aren’t recorded. Don’t assume drop-off is free.
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)
City of Pittsburgh Public Works drop-off – Hazelwood (DPW 3rd Division)Drop-off · 40 Melanchton St, PittsburghPittsburgh residentsCost not listed
Where
40 Melanchton St
Pittsburgh, PA 15207
Hours
Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Cost & rules
Cardboard
AcceptedCost unknown
Fees aren’t recorded. Don’t assume drop-off is free.
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)
City of Pittsburgh Public Works drop-off – West End (DPW 5th Division)Drop-off · 1330 Hassler St, PittsburghPittsburgh residentsCost not listed
Where
1330 Hassler St
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
Hours
Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–2 p.m., Sat 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost & rules
Cardboard
AcceptedCost unknown
Fees aren’t recorded. Don’t assume drop-off is free.
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)
City of Pittsburgh Recycling Drop-Off – Strip District (3001 Railroad St)Drop-off · 3001 Railroad St, PittsburghPittsburgh residentsCost not listed
Where
3001 Railroad St
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Hours
Open 24 hours, 7 days
Cost & rules
Cardboard
AcceptedCost unknown
Fees aren’t recorded. Don’t assume drop-off is free.
Preparation: Flatten cardboard.
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)
Construction JunctionDrop-off · 214 North Lexington Street, PittsburghOpen to everyoneCost not listed
Where
214 North Lexington Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Hours
Mon–Sat 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost & rules
Cardboard
AcceptedCost unknown
Fees aren’t recorded. Don’t assume drop-off is free.
Recycling lot is open only during CJ business hours.
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)
City of Pittsburgh curbside recyclingCity service · PittsburghPittsburgh residentsCost not listed
How it works
Bi-weekly single-stream curbside recycling for single-family homes and small apartment buildings (five or fewer units); recycling is mandatory under City Code §619.03(a). Flatten cardboard and put it in another box or bin.
Cost & rules
- No greasy pizza boxes or plastic packing material.
- Before you go: Flatten cardboard and place it in another box or bin.
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

Pennsylvania rules

Commercial, municipal and institutional establishments in mandated municipalities must separate high grade office paper, aluminum, corrugated paper and leaf waste. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)
Every municipal waste landfill, resource recovery facility or transfer station must have at least one drop-off center for at least three recyclables chosen from the same list, which includes corrugated paper. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)

More Pennsylvania rules (19)

Mandated municipalities must require residents to separate at least three materials chosen from clear glass, colored glass, aluminum, steel and bimetallic cans, high-grade office paper, newsprint, corrugated paper and plastics. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)
Act 101 Section 1501(a): a municipality (other than a county) with 10,000 or more people must run a source-separation and collection program for recyclables. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)
Act 101 Section 1501(b): municipalities of more than 5,000 but under 10,000 people with density over 300 per square mile must also run a recycling program. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)
Residents of mandated municipalities must separate leaf waste unless they compost it; less dense municipalities that ban leaf burning may be exempt from leaf collection. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)
Mandated programs must have a scheduled curbside (or similar) collection day for separated materials at least once a month. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)
Statewide recycling began in 1988 with Act 101, which requires larger municipalities to recycle. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)
DEP says more than 11.6 million residents (at least 94 percent) have access to recycling, through about 1,050 curbside programs and 870 drop-off programs. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)
Act 101 set a $2-per-ton fee on waste disposed at municipal waste landfills and waste-to-energy facilities, funding local recycling grants. Source: PA DEP: Recycling in Pennsylvania (opens in new tab)
For curbside recycling details, DEP tells residents to contact their local hauler or municipality. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)
For bulky items, DEP tells residents to contact their refuse hauler, or their county recycling coordinator if they have no hauler. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)
Some haulers and municipalities run curbside collection for special wastes restricted from regular trash (electronics, HHW, tires); each has its own requirements and costs. Source: PA DEP: Special Waste Materials Curbside Collection Programs (opens in new tab)
DEP: household hazardous waste is unused household products that may explode, catch fire or harm the environment, e.g. paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, drain cleaners, batteries and motor oil. Source: PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
DEP lists ongoing HHW programs and one-time events by county; most municipal programs have residency requirements and some charge nominal fees or require registration. Source: PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs (opens in new tab)
Contact the program before dropping off HHW to learn what it accepts and when it operates. Source: PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs (opens in new tab)
If no collection program is available, HHW may legally go in regular trash if label directions are followed, liquids are evaporated or absorbed, residue is packaged against leaks, and it is set out in small quantities over several collections. Source: PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Under Act 101 as amended by Act 190 of 1996, HHW programs may operate if registered with DEP; most collect annually at drop-off sites, others year-round. Source: PA DEP: Apply to Establish a Municipal Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (opens in new tab)
Act 190 allows 50% funding for HHW collection programs run by municipalities and non-profits. Source: PA DEP: Apply to Establish a Municipal Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (opens in new tab)
Very small quantity generators (businesses making under 100 kg of hazardous waste a month) can use registered HHW programs like households. Source: PA DEP: Apply to Establish a Municipal Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (opens in new tab)
If no HHW services are available in your area, DEP says to contact your county recycling coordinator. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)

Where this information comes from (29)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania General Assembly
- Act 101 Section 1501(a): a municipality (other than a county) with 10,000 or more people must run a source-separation and collection program for recyclables. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Act 101 Section 1501(b): municipalities of more than 5,000 but under 10,000 people with density over 300 per square mile must also run a recycling program. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Mandated municipalities must require residents to separate at least three materials chosen from clear glass, colored glass, aluminum, steel and bimetallic cans, high-grade office paper, newsprint, corrugated paper and plastics. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Commercial, municipal and institutional establishments in mandated municipalities must separate high grade office paper, aluminum, corrugated paper and leaf waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Residents of mandated municipalities must separate leaf waste unless they compost it; less dense municipalities that ban leaf burning may be exempt from leaf collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Mandated programs must have a scheduled curbside (or similar) collection day for separated materials at least once a month. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Every municipal waste landfill, resource recovery facility or transfer station must have at least one drop-off center for at least three recyclables chosen from the same list, which includes corrugated paper. Checked October 26, 2026.
PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Statewide recycling began in 1988 with Act 101, which requires larger municipalities to recycle. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DEP says more than 11.6 million residents (at least 94 percent) have access to recycling, through about 1,050 curbside programs and 870 drop-off programs. Checked October 26, 2026.
- For curbside recycling details, DEP tells residents to contact their local hauler or municipality. Checked October 26, 2026.
- For bulky items, DEP tells residents to contact their refuse hauler, or their county recycling coordinator if they have no hauler. Checked October 26, 2026.
- If no HHW services are available in your area, DEP says to contact your county recycling coordinator. Checked October 26, 2026.
PA DEP: Recycling in Pennsylvania (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Act 101 set a $2-per-ton fee on waste disposed at municipal waste landfills and waste-to-energy facilities, funding local recycling grants. Checked October 26, 2026.
PA DEP: Special Waste Materials Curbside Collection Programs (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Some haulers and municipalities run curbside collection for special wastes restricted from regular trash (electronics, HHW, tires); each has its own requirements and costs. Checked October 26, 2026.
PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- DEP: household hazardous waste is unused household products that may explode, catch fire or harm the environment, e.g. paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, drain cleaners, batteries and motor oil. Checked October 26, 2026.
- If no collection program is available, HHW may legally go in regular trash if label directions are followed, liquids are evaporated or absorbed, residue is packaged against leaks, and it is set out in small quantities over several collections. Checked October 26, 2026.
PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- DEP lists ongoing HHW programs and one-time events by county; most municipal programs have residency requirements and some charge nominal fees or require registration. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Contact the program before dropping off HHW to learn what it accepts and when it operates. Checked October 26, 2026.
PA DEP: Apply to Establish a Municipal Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Under Act 101 as amended by Act 190 of 1996, HHW programs may operate if registered with DEP; most collect annually at drop-off sites, others year-round. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Act 190 allows 50% funding for HHW collection programs run by municipalities and non-profits. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Very small quantity generators (businesses making under 100 kg of hazardous waste a month) can use registered HHW programs like households. Checked October 26, 2026.
City of Pittsburgh: Curbside Recycling (opens in new tab) · City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works, Environmental Services
- Cardboard must be flattened and placed into another box or bin for collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Greasy pizza boxes and plastic packing material are not accepted with cardboard. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Recycling is mandatory: residents of single-family homes and small apartments (five or fewer) must separate recyclables for bi-weekly curbside collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
City of Pittsburgh: Recycling Drop-Off Locations (opens in new tab) · City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works, Environmental Services
- The Public Works Divisions (2nd, 3rd, 5th) accept curbside recyclables, yard debris, tires and scrap metal. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The Strip District and Construction Junction sites accept curbside recycling and have dedicated glass dumpsters. Checked October 26, 2026.
Allegheny County Health Department: Recycling Resource Directory (revised 6/2025) (opens in new tab) · Allegheny County Health Department · effective June 9, 2025
- Allegheny County lists the City’s drop-off locations for scrap metals, tires and recyclables as City of Pittsburgh residents only. Checked October 26, 2026.
Construction Junction: Recycling Services (opens in new tab) · Construction Junction
- Construction Junction: 214 North Lexington Street, Pittsburgh PA 15208, open Mon–Sat 9:00–5:00 and Sun 10:00–5:00. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The recycling lot (open during CJ hours) takes cardboard, cans, glass, mixed paper and scrap metal. 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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