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Combined Resources Inc.
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Corrugated Cardboard Recycling Services

From 10 truckloads a day to 1 compactor a month. Competitive pricing, prompt payment.

CRI industrial baler processing corrugated cardboard

Scale That Fits. Pricing That Pays.

Corrugated cardboard is the backbone of commercial recycling, and CRI has been maximizing its value for 40 years. Whether you operate a high-volume distribution center or a mid-size manufacturing plant, our program flexes to match your output and keeps your docks running efficiently.

As both a processor and broker, CRI places your cardboard directly with end-market buyers, cutting out middlemen and delivering you the best available price. Prompt payment is standard, not a perk.

Cardboard & Kraft Grades We Handle

Every corrugated and kraft grade your facility generates, collected and marketed for maximum value.

Corrugated (OCC)

Standard old corrugated containers from shipping and distribution operations

Industrial Corrugated

Heavy-duty corrugated from manufacturing and industrial packaging

Double Line Craft

Double-lined kraft corrugated used in heavy-duty shipping applications

Gaylords

Large corrugated bulk containers used for material storage and transport

Chipboard

Recycled paperboard used in packaging, backing boards, and product boxes

Box Board

Folding carton and cereal box grade paperboard material

Kraft Multi-Wall Bags

Multi-layered kraft paper bags from industrial and agricultural use

Kraft Paper

Unbleached kraft paper including wrapping, void fill, and industrial rolls

Cardboard Recycling Across 45 States

CRI handles commercial cardboard accounts in 45 US states and 4 Canadian provinces. The pages below are dedicated local resources for high-volume Chicagoland markets near our Addison plant, more are on the way.

Local Page

Addison, IL

Same-day OCC pickup direct from our local plant. Headquartered in Addison since 1986.

Local Page

Aurora, IL

OCC pickup + contamination management for Fox Valley packagers, plastics manufacturers, and Route 59 distribution.

Local Page

Bensenville, IL

OCC pickup + spotted trailers for O'Hare-adjacent 3PLs, freight forwarders, and cold storage. 5 miles from Addison.

Local Page

Chicago, IL

OCC pickup and full-program consolidation for Chicago food distribution, brewing, packaging, and manufacturing.

Local Page

Joliet, IL

Spotted 53-ft trailers for CenterPoint Intermodal, BNSF Logistics Park, and I-80 fulfillment DCs.

National Coverage

Outside Chicagoland?

CRI services accounts in 45 US states and 4 Canadian provinces. See full coverage.

Cardboard Recycling FAQ

Common questions about CRI's commercial cardboard recycling services.

What types of cardboard does CRI accept?+
CRI accepts all commercial cardboard grades including corrugated (OCC), industrial corrugated, double line craft, gaylords, chipboard, box board, kraft multi-wall bags, and kraft paper. Whether your facility generates clean OCC or mixed grades, we handle it all.
How flexible is CRI's pickup schedule?+
Extremely flexible. CRI scales to your needs, from 10 truckloads per day for major distribution centers down to 1 compactor per month for smaller facilities. We design a pickup cadence that keeps your docks clear without over-servicing.
Does CRI pay for cardboard?+
Yes, when the volume and grade make sense. CRI offers competitive market pricing for clean OCC and other cardboard grades, with prompt payment on every load. Rates depend on grade quality and volume, sorted, dry, contamination-free OCC commands the highest pricing. As both a processor and broker with 40 years of market relationships, we deliver fair, transparent rates and tell you upfront where your material falls.
Does CRI provide equipment for cardboard recycling?+
It depends on volume and grades. CRI provides compactors, balers, spotted trailers, gaylords, and other equipment matched to your facility's needs, but equipment is not automatically free. For higher-volume, higher-grade programs, equipment is typically included as part of the recycling agreement. For smaller volumes or lower-grade streams, equipment may be available for rent or pass-through cost. We quote it transparently during your assessment.
Can CRI handle cardboard mixed with other recyclables?+
Absolutely. Many of our clients generate cardboard alongside paper, plastic, and pallets. CRI designs integrated recycling programs that handle all your material streams efficiently, often using a single trailer to collect multiple commodities.

Want to know what your waste is worth?

Call us or request a free assessment. No contracts. No obligation.

Get Your Free AssessmentOr call 877-CRI-PALS