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Cardboard Recycling in Boston, MA

Boston collects cardboard in the blue recycling bin; extra boxes must be flattened, tied in bundles no longer than 3 feet and placed next to the bin.

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Stacked brown cardboard boxes
Illustrative item photographKadarius Seegars / Unsplash (opens in new tab)

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

2 ways to get rid of a cardboard in Boston

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

  1. CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · BostonNo 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 →

  2. Boston curbside recyclingCity service · BostonBoston residentsCost not listed
    How it works

    Weekly single-stream recycling in the blue bin. Cardboard must be flattened; extra cardboard is bundled, tied with string and set next to the bin, pieces no longer than 3 feet. No Styrofoam or plastic inside boxes.

    Cost & rules
    • Before you go: Flatten; bundle and tie extra cardboard next to the bin; 3 feet maximum.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

Before you go

  1. Check whether you have corrugated boxes, coated packaging or mixed materials.
  2. Remove foam, plastic and other packing inserts.
  3. Flatten boxes and check quantity limits for your program.
More about cardboard

Massachusetts rules

More Massachusetts rules (17)
Where this information comes from (22)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

  • City of Boston Public Works: Mattress Recycling (opens in new tab) · City of Boston Public Works Department
    • The City picks up mattresses only from residents of buildings with six units or fewer; larger buildings must go through their property manager. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • City of Boston Public Works: Recycling (opens in new tab) · City of Boston Public Works Department
    • Cardboard that doesn't fit in the blue bin must be flattened, bundled, tied with string and set next to the bin; pieces no longer than 3 feet. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Cardboard (shipping boxes, cereal boxes, egg cartons, paper towel rolls) goes in the blue recycling bin, flattened, clean and dry. 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.

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