CATTARAUGUS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PRESENTS

Cardboard Recycling

March 2025 Edition | Refuse Division Fun Facts

DID YOU KNOW? 

Clean, baled, corrugated cardboard has end-market value - this means it can be sold to mills for recycling!

Unfortunately, “contaminated” cardboard cannot be sold, and its disposal costs money. At Cattaraugus County Transfer Stations, you may be asked to remove any contaminated cardboard from your recycling. It will then be charged the same disposal fee as regular municipal solid waste.

WHAT IS CONTAMINATION?

• Liquids (wet cardboard)
• Food grease
• Glue or paper mache-type additives

TYPES OF "CARDBOARD"

DID YOU KNOW that some items that look like cardboard are actually regular waste or paper?

• WAX BOARD: place with regular garbage

  • Waxy finish, usually refrigerated items
    • Example: MILK CARTONS

• BOXBOARD/PAPERBOARD: recyclable with paper products

  • Thicker than regular paper
  • Usually with logo or art printed on it
    • Examples: SIX PACK CARRIERS; CEREAL BOXES

CATTARAUGUS COUNTY FEES

RECYCLYING CLEAN, DRY, CORRUGATED CARDBOARD AT ANY CATTARAUGUS COUNTY TRANSFER STATION IS FREE OF CHARGE

SAVING BY THE BALE

CATTARAUGUS COUNTY IS PRODUCING BALED CARDBOARD!

In the summer of 2024, a baler was purchased and installed at the Salamanca Transfer Station. This equipment is used to compact recyclable materials together so that they can be easily transported (a lot like hay bales!). 

Local paper mills will collect (and pay for) bales of corrugated cardboard - saving the County taxpayer hauling expenses!

AS OF MARCH 2025

• Unbaled cardboard is worth ~$5/ton
• Baled cardboard is valued at ~$95/ton!

FUN FACTS

• Over 90% of products in the United States are shipped in corrugated cardboard boxes.

• The average American will use approximately seven (7) trees each year in paper & cardboard products!

• Recycling one (1) ton of cardboard saves over NINE (9) cubic yards of landfill space - as well as 700 gallons of water, and 46 gallons of oil.

• Want more info? Check out these additional resources!

LOCATIONS & HOURS for Transfer Stations

ALLEGANY TRANSFER STATION - PUBLIC

(716) 372-7822 | 11 West Union Street, Allegany, NY 14706

Tuesday - Friday:  8:00 am - 4:30 pm | Saturday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

CONEWANGO TRANSFER STATION - PUBLIC

(716) 358-5300 | 4640 Route 241, Conewango, NY 14726

Saturday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

DAYTON TRANSFER STATION - PUBLIC

(716) 532-4490 | 9270 Cabic Road, Dayton, NY 14041

Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm | Saturday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

FIVE POINTS TRANSFER STATION - PUBLIC

(716) 938-6450 | 6909 Toad Hollow Road, Mansfield, NY 14755

Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm | Saturday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

MACHIAS TRANSFER STATION - PUBLIC

(716) 676-3730 | 8630 Route 16, Machias, NY 14101

Tuesday & Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm | Saturday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

PORTVILLE TRANSFER STATION - PUBLIC

(716) 372- 6298 | 99 Critchlow Drive, Weston Mills, NY 14788

Tuesday - Friday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm | Saturday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

SALAMANCA TRANSFER STATION

(716) 945-1212 | 289 Center Street, Salamanca, NY 14779

Public Hours

Monday - Friday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm | Saturday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

Commercial Hours

Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm | Saturday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

QUESTIONS?

Contact the Cattaraugus County Department of Public Works' Refuse Division! 

CALL 716-938-9121 or use our online contact form!