Cardboard Recycling in Ottumwa, IA

Clean cardboard goes in Ottumwa's curbside recycling bin or to the Recycling Center drop-off on Emma Street.

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 Ottumwa

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

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · OttumwaNo 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 →
Ottumwa/Wapello Recycling Center and Regional Collection CenterDrop-off · 2415 Emma Street, OttumwaWapello County residentsCost not listed
Where
2415 Emma Street
Ottumwa, IA 52501
Hours
Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.-noon
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 Ottumwa curbside recyclingPickup service · OttumwaOttumwa residentsCost not listed
How it works
Unlimited curbside recycling in the City recycling bin on the regular trash day for Ottumwa trash customers.
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

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 (14)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

Household Hazardous Materials (opens in new tab) · City of Ottumwa
- The RCC at the Recycling Center requires an appointment and is offered at no charge to Davis and Wapello County residential customers. Checked October 26, 2026.
Waste Guide (opens in new tab) · City of Ottumwa
- Clean cardboard goes in the curbside recycling bin or to the Recycling Center drop-off. Checked October 26, 2026.
Iowa DNR: Regional Collection Centers & Grants (opens in new tab) · Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- Iowa DNR lists the Ottumwa Wapello RCC as main RCC for Wapello, Davis and Mahaska counties. 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.
Waste Collection (opens in new tab) · City of Ottumwa
- The customer monthly rate is $24.50 per household. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Curbside recycling bins, collected on the regular trash day, take corrugated cardboard and paperboard among other items. 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.

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

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