Cardboard Recycling in Ames, IA

Flattened cardboard can be dropped 24/7 at the recycling area on the north side of the Ames Resource Recovery Plant.

See all 2 options

Illustrative item photographKadarius Seegars / Unsplash

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

2 ways to get rid of a cardboard in Ames

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

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · AmesNo 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 →
Ames Resource Recovery PlantDrop-off · 410 E 2nd St, AmesCost not listed
Where
410 E 2nd St
Ames, IA 50010
Hours
Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Sat 8 a.m.-noon
Cost & rules
Cardboard
AcceptedCost unknown
Fees aren’t recorded. Don’t assume drop-off is free.
Flattened cardboard at the 24/7 drop-off recycling area on the north side.
Full details & sources Official site (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

Iowa rules

Iowa households can take household hazardous materials to Regional Collection Centers (RCCs); RCC services are free to residents within each RCC's service area. Source: Iowa DNR: Household Hazardous Materials (opens in new tab)
RCC services for eligible businesses carry a small fee. Source: Iowa DNR: Household Hazardous Materials (opens in new tab)

More Iowa rules (7)

DNR tells residents to find their nearest RCC and schedule an appointment before dropping off hazardous materials. Source: Iowa DNR: Household Hazardous Materials (opens in new tab)
DNR says not to dump hazardous materials in ditches, pour them down drains or sewers, or put them in the trash. Source: Iowa DNR: Household Hazardous Materials (opens in new tab)
Iowa has 28 main RCCs and 43 satellite facilities serving 96 of the state's counties. Source: Iowa DNR: Regional Collection Centers & Grants (opens in new tab)
Some counties are served by RCC mobile collection events run under contract with a main RCC; 29 counties have RCC mobile service. Source: Iowa DNR: Regional Collection Centers & Grants (opens in new tab)
Many RCCs run a Swap Shop where usable products can be dropped off for others to take at no charge. Source: Iowa DNR: Regional Collection Centers & Grants (opens in new tab)
DNR publishes a county-by-county table of the RCC main and satellite facilities that serve each county. Source: Iowa DNR: Regional Collection Centers & Grants (opens in new tab)
Under Iowa Code chapter 455F, regional collection centers keep regular hours when the public may drop off hazardous materials. Source: Iowa Code chapter 455F: Household hazardous materials (opens in new tab)

Where this information comes from (13)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

Drop-Off Recycling (opens in new tab) · City of Ames Resource Recovery System
- The drop-off recycling center on the north side of the plant lets residents recycle flattened cardboard and other materials 24/7. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Flattened cardboard bins are also at the Parks and Recreation office, the Ames Public Library north lot, the Power Plant loading dock and downtown lots. Checked October 26, 2026.
Household Hazardous Materials (opens in new tab) · City of Ames Resource Recovery System
- Businesses and farms are referred to the Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off in Bondurant or may call Resource Recovery. Checked October 26, 2026.
Iowa DNR: Regional Collection Centers & Grants (opens in new tab) · Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- DNR lists the City of Ames (110 Center Ave.) as a satellite RCC for Story County, with Metro Waste Authority as the main RCC. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Iowa has 28 main RCCs and 43 satellite facilities serving 96 of the state's counties. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Some counties are served by RCC mobile collection events run under contract with a main RCC; 29 counties have RCC mobile service. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Many RCCs run a Swap Shop where usable products can be dropped off for others to take at no charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DNR publishes a county-by-county table of the RCC main and satellite facilities that serve each county. Checked October 26, 2026.
Iowa DNR: Household Hazardous Materials (opens in new tab) · Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- Iowa households can take household hazardous materials to Regional Collection Centers (RCCs); RCC services are free to residents within each RCC's service area. Checked October 26, 2026.
- RCC services for eligible businesses carry a small fee. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DNR tells residents to find their nearest RCC and schedule an appointment before dropping off hazardous materials. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DNR says not to dump hazardous materials in ditches, pour them down drains or sewers, or put them in the trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
Iowa Code chapter 455F: Household hazardous materials (opens in new tab) · Iowa Legislature (Legislative Services Agency)
- Under Iowa Code chapter 455F, regional collection centers keep regular hours when the public may drop off hazardous materials. Checked October 26, 2026.

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