Cardboard Recycling in Elgin, IL

Flatten boxes to 3 x 3 feet for the Elgin recycling bin, or 4 x 4 feet if they go next to it.

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 Elgin

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

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · ElginNo 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 →
Elgin curbside recycling (LRS)Pickup service · ElginCost not listed
How it works
City-contracted curbside recycling; no stickers needed for properly prepared recyclables.
Cost & rules
- Before you go: Flatten to 3 x 3 feet inside the bin, or 4 x 4 feet next to it.
Official page (opens in new tab)
Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM Center)Drop-off · outside Elgin · 15800 State St., South HollandCook County residentsFree
Where
15800 State St.
South Holland, IL 60473
Hours
Tue 8 a.m.-noon; Thu 1-5 p.m.; 2nd and 4th Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May close in bad weather.
Cost & rules
Cardboard
AcceptedFree (documented)
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)

Illinois EPA says state and federal law allow household hazardous waste to go out with residential garbage, but taking it to an HHW collection is more protective. Source: Illinois EPA: Household Hazardous Wastes (opens in new tab)

Where this information comes from (5)

Checked October 26, 2026

City of Elgin: Recycling Guidelines (opens in new tab) · City of Elgin
- Cardboard boxes must be flattened to 3 x 3 feet in the bin, or 4 x 4 feet if placed outside it. Checked October 26, 2026.
Illinois EPA: Household Hazardous Wastes (opens in new tab) · Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
- Illinois EPA says state and federal law allow household hazardous waste to go out with residential garbage, but taking it to an HHW collection is more protective. Checked October 26, 2026.
Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (opens in new tab) · Cook County
- The CHaRM Center is a permanent recycling drop-off facility available to Cook County residents; commercial and industrial waste is not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Paper and cardboard accepted include moving boxes, food boxes and shipping boxes. Checked October 26, 2026.
Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) Services (opens in new tab) · South Suburban College
- Drop-off is free to residential customers only; proof of residency may be required. Checked October 26, 2026.

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