Cardboard Recycling in Arlington, MA
Flattened cardboard can be dropped at Arlington's Reuse & Recycle Center during a booked appointment.
See all 2 options
Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check
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.
Massachusetts rules
- Paper, paperboard and cardboard are banned from disposal in Massachusetts. Source: MassDEP Fact Sheet: What are Massachusetts Waste Bans? (opens in new tab)
- Every recycling program in Massachusetts accepts paper and cardboard. Empty and flatten boxes, and don't bag recyclables. Source: Recycle Smart MA (a MassDEP service): Smart Recycling Guide (opens in new tab)
More Massachusetts rules (17)
- 310 CMR 19.017 has banned recyclable paper from disposal, incineration or transfer for disposal since December 31, 1994 (landfills/combustors) and April 1, 2000 (transfer facilities). Source: 310 CMR 19.000: Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations (incl. 19.017 Waste Bans) (opens in new tab)
- MassDEP introduced its first bans on landfilling and combustion of easy-to-recycle and toxic materials in 1990 and has phased in more since. Source: MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans (opens in new tab)
- Materials banned from disposal or transfer for disposal in Massachusetts include cathode ray tubes, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, lead acid batteries, mattresses, recyclable paper and cardboard, textiles, white goods and whole tires (landfills only). Source: MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans (opens in new tab)
- The MassDEP waste disposal bans are in section 19.017 of the Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations, 310 CMR 19.000. Source: MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans (opens in new tab)
- 310 CMR 19.017(3): no person may dispose, transfer for disposal, or contract for disposal or transport of a restricted material except as the regulation allows, and violators may face MassDEP enforcement. Source: 310 CMR 19.000: Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations (incl. 19.017 Waste Bans) (opens in new tab)
- No landfill, transfer facility or combustion facility may accept a restricted material except to handle, recycle or compost it under a MassDEP-approved plan. Source: 310 CMR 19.000: Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations (incl. 19.017 Waste Bans) (opens in new tab)
- For residents, most banned materials are collected through regular municipal collection or drop-off programs, while larger items such as CRTs or appliances may go through separate collections or drop-off events. Source: MassDEP Fact Sheet: What are Massachusetts Waste Bans? (opens in new tab)
- MassDEP notes that vehicle batteries, tires and cathode ray tubes may in some cases be collected by retailers. Source: MassDEP Fact Sheet: What are Massachusetts Waste Bans? (opens in new tab)
- Residents with private (non-municipal) trash collection should ask their service provider for recycling options. Source: MassDEP Fact Sheet: What are Massachusetts Waste Bans? (opens in new tab)
- MassDEP generally does not issue waste-ban enforcement to individuals; it typically targets businesses, institutions (including municipalities) and haulers. Source: MassDEP: Waste Ban on Mattresses and Textiles, Frequently Asked Questions (opens in new tab)
- For local recycling and household hazardous product collection days and hours, MassDEP tells residents to contact their community's recycling or solid waste coordinator or department. Source: Mass.gov: How & Where to Recycle (opens in new tab)
- MassDEP's Beyond the Bin directory lists outlets for items that can't go in the home recycling bin. MassDEP does not collect materials itself, listings are self-reported, and you should call ahead. Source: Recycle Smart MA (a MassDEP service): Beyond the Bin Search Directory (opens in new tab)
- Since November 2022, textiles (clothing, footwear, bedding, curtains, fabric) are banned from disposal in Massachusetts, even worn, torn or stained items. Source: MassDEP: Clothing and Textile Recovery (opens in new tab)
- Pillows, cushions and rugs are not "textiles" under the ban and may go in the trash. Source: MassDEP: Waste Ban on Mattresses and Textiles, Frequently Asked Questions (opens in new tab)
- Household hazardous products (old chemicals, cleaners, paint, pesticides) don't belong in the recycling bin, the trash or the drain. Store them until a community HHW collection or take them to a local, regional or commercial facility. Source: Mass.gov: How & Where to Recycle (opens in new tab)
- MassDEP lists approved household hazardous product collection facilities. Call or check each facility's website for items, fees and hours. Source: Mass.gov: Safely Manage Household Hazardous Products (opens in new tab)
- Questions about household hazardous products can go to MassDEP at 866-963-7287 or massdep.hhp@mass.gov. Source: Mass.gov: Safely Manage Household Hazardous Products (opens in new tab)
Where this information comes from (22)
Where this information comes from
Checked October 26, 2026
- Town of Arlington DPW: Reuse & Recycle Center (opens in new tab) · Town of Arlington Department of Public Works
- The Reuse & Recycle Center at 33 Ryder Street is by appointment for Arlington residents only; weekday times are added a week or two ahead and weekend drop-offs are monthly. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Most things are free; accepted items include electronic waste (some fees), scrap metal, batteries other than alkaline, and flattened cardboard. Fees are cash or check only. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Flattened cardboard is accepted at the Reuse & Recycle Center. Checked October 26, 2026.
- MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- MassDEP introduced its first bans on landfilling and combustion of easy-to-recycle and toxic materials in 1990 and has phased in more since. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Materials banned from disposal or transfer for disposal in Massachusetts include cathode ray tubes, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, lead acid batteries, mattresses, recyclable paper and cardboard, textiles, white goods and whole tires (landfills only). Checked October 26, 2026.
- The MassDEP waste disposal bans are in section 19.017 of the Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations, 310 CMR 19.000. Checked October 26, 2026.
- 310 CMR 19.000: Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations (incl. 19.017 Waste Bans) (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- 310 CMR 19.017(3): no person may dispose, transfer for disposal, or contract for disposal or transport of a restricted material except as the regulation allows, and violators may face MassDEP enforcement. Checked October 26, 2026.
- No landfill, transfer facility or combustion facility may accept a restricted material except to handle, recycle or compost it under a MassDEP-approved plan. Checked October 26, 2026.
- 310 CMR 19.017 has banned recyclable paper from disposal, incineration or transfer for disposal since December 31, 1994 (landfills/combustors) and April 1, 2000 (transfer facilities). Checked October 26, 2026.
- MassDEP Fact Sheet: What are Massachusetts Waste Bans? (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- For residents, most banned materials are collected through regular municipal collection or drop-off programs, while larger items such as CRTs or appliances may go through separate collections or drop-off events. Checked October 26, 2026.
- MassDEP notes that vehicle batteries, tires and cathode ray tubes may in some cases be collected by retailers. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Residents with private (non-municipal) trash collection should ask their service provider for recycling options. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Paper, paperboard and cardboard are banned from disposal in Massachusetts. Checked October 26, 2026.
- MassDEP: Waste Ban on Mattresses and Textiles, Frequently Asked Questions (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- MassDEP generally does not issue waste-ban enforcement to individuals; it typically targets businesses, institutions (including municipalities) and haulers. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Pillows, cushions and rugs are not "textiles" under the ban and may go in the trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Mass.gov: How & Where to Recycle (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- For local recycling and household hazardous product collection days and hours, MassDEP tells residents to contact their community's recycling or solid waste coordinator or department. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Household hazardous products (old chemicals, cleaners, paint, pesticides) don't belong in the recycling bin, the trash or the drain. Store them until a community HHW collection or take them to a local, regional or commercial facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Recycle Smart MA (a MassDEP service): Beyond the Bin Search Directory (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- MassDEP's Beyond the Bin directory lists outlets for items that can't go in the home recycling bin. MassDEP does not collect materials itself, listings are self-reported, and you should call ahead. Checked October 26, 2026.
- MassDEP: Clothing and Textile Recovery (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- Since November 2022, textiles (clothing, footwear, bedding, curtains, fabric) are banned from disposal in Massachusetts, even worn, torn or stained items. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Recycle Smart MA (a MassDEP service): Smart Recycling Guide (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- Every recycling program in Massachusetts accepts paper and cardboard. Empty and flatten boxes, and don't bag recyclables. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Mass.gov: Safely Manage Household Hazardous Products (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- MassDEP lists approved household hazardous product collection facilities. Call or check each facility's website for items, fees and hours. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Questions about household hazardous products can go to MassDEP at 866-963-7287 or massdep.hhp@mass.gov. 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