DOS Fibrous - What should I KNOW before recycling cardboard / paper / fibrous materials at the DOS?

The Lenawee County Recycling Drop Off Site (DOS) is open for use by all Lenawee County residents.  Businesses with large amounts of recycling materials should contact their waste hauler for alternative options. 

There are two types of cardboard

  1. Corrugated:  This is thick cardboard with an extra layer of wavy fiber in between sheets.  The extra layer makes it stronger and a great option for shipping or packing boxes. Any size, shape or color of corrugated cardboard can be recycled.  Larger amounts of corrugated cardboard should be taken to Goodwill Industries located at 1357 Division Street. 
  2. Paperboard or Chipboard:  Each time we recycle corrugated cardboard, the fibers holding it together get a little bit shorter and as a result the cardboard gets slightly thinner it’s recycled and when the fibers become too thin to create strong corrugated cardboard, they are used for a class of cardboard called paperboard.  Paperboard or chipboard boxes are used for cereal boxes, cake mix boxes, and cases of pop.

As long as your cardboard and paperboard is clean and dry it can be recycled at the DOS.   

This includes 

  • newspapers and inserts (unbundled) 
  • chipboard
  • cardboard boxes 
  • office paper
  • magazines
  • paperback books
  • junk mail
  • phone books
  • cardboard containers (cereal, dairy products, dry foods)

NO:  Wet or greasy cardboard like pizza boxes or fast food boxes are considered a contaminate and belong in the garbage.  Wet or contaminated items can jam sorting equipment and ruin good, clean material. To get the most out of your program, be sure to remove any plastic packaging or bags from your boxes.  

It’s important to break the boxes down avoid jamming the compactor which will require the compactor to be shut down for maintenance. 

Remember to close the door and let the compactor cycle through for larger loads. 

Have lots of cardboard boxes? 

Avoid the compactor - break them down and drop them off at one of the following OPEN collection sites 

GoodWill Industries

located at 1357 Division Street in Adrian has an open container for corrugated cardboard - just flatten your boxes, drop them off in the container, and go! 

Neighbors of HOPE 

located at 423 W. Maumee Street in Adrian also has an open container for corrugated cardboard 


Show All Answers

1. What do I do with old. . . . .
2. Drop Off Site - What is the DOS?
3. DOS Plastics - What should I KNOW before recycling plastics at the County DOS?
4. DOS Glass - What should I KNOW before recycling glass at the DOS?
5. DOS Fibrous - What should I KNOW before recycling cardboard / paper / fibrous materials at the DOS?
6. DOS Bags - Can I leave my recyclables in a grocery bag when I recycle them at the DOS?
7. DOS Clean - Do my recyclables NEED to be clean?
8. DOS Metals - What should I KNOW before recycling metals at the County DOS?
9. AEROSOL CANS
10. BATTERIES
11. BULK ITEMS - Like worn out mattress, sofa, chair, lawn furniture?
12. BOOKS
13. COLLECTION DAY - When is the next county-wide collection event?
14. COMPUTERS, MONITORS, ETC.
15. CONCRETE, ASPHALT, BRICK
16. CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS - REMODELING
17. FLORESCENT LIGHTS
18. FREON
19. FROZEN FOOD BOXES / PIZZA BOXES
20. PAINT
21. PESTICIDES
22. PLASTIC BAGS
23. PROPANE / GAS TANKS
24. SCRAP METALS
25. STYROFOAM / PACKING MATERIALS
26. TIRES
27. TRASH
28. TV (Televisions)
29. PLASTIC BAGS