Why Your Paper Matters

Protecting Northern Kentucky's Environment Starts at Home

Every ton of paper recycled in our region keeps valuable materials out of landfills, saves thousands of gallons of water, and reduces the need to harvest new trees from local watersheds that feed the Ohio River. In Northern Kentucky, where communities from Florence to Covington to Alexandria are growing, responsible paper recycling is one of the simplest ways residents can make a measurable difference.

Paper and cardboard make up a significant portion of household waste. When properly sorted and processed through Rumpke's single stream system or the Big Blue Bin network, these fibers are turned back into new packaging, office paper, tissue products, and building materials often right here in the greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky industrial corridor.

17
Trees saved per ton recycled
7,000
Gallons of water conserved
4,000
kWh energy saved
60%
Less energy than virgin paper

Source: EPA & Paper Industry Association data applied to regional programs

What Paper & Cardboard Can You Recycle in NKY?

Most Northern Kentucky households receive single-stream recycling service through Rumpke Waste & Recycling. This means you can place acceptable paper items loose in your recycling cart alongside bottles, cans, and plastics—no sorting required at the curb. Some communities also offer subscription recycling or access to 24/7 drop-off bins.

Accepted Paper Items
  • Newspapers, sales circulars & inserts
  • Magazines, catalogs & phone books
  • Junk mail, envelopes (windowed OK), office paper & copy paper
  • Flattened cardboard boxes & shipping boxes
  • Cereal, cracker & other paperboard boxes
  • Clean pizza boxes (no heavy grease or food residue)
  • Paper bags & kraft paper
  • Paperback books (hardcovers: remove covers first)
  • Milk, juice, soup & broth cartons (rinse, remove caps & straws)
  • Paper coffee cups & fast-food beverage cups (remove plastic lids & straws)
Tip: If it tears easily and isn't coated in wax, foil, or plastic, it's usually recyclable.
Do NOT Recycle These
  • Tissue paper, paper towels, napkins & facial tissue
  • Waxed paper, butcher paper & parchment
  • Foil-lined or metallic wrapping paper
  • Photographs, thermal receipts & sticker paper
  • Food-soiled paper plates, bowls & takeout containers
  • Paper with heavy plastic coating or lamination
  • Shredded paper loose in cart (bag it first — see below)
  • Hardback books (unless covers removed)
  • Any paper contaminated with food, grease or liquids
Contamination can cause entire loads to be landfilled. When in doubt, throw it out or check Rumpke's app.
Shredded Paper Special Rule: Shredded paper is accepted but must be placed in a clear plastic bag and tied shut before putting it in your recycling cart or bin. Loose shreds can jam sorting equipment and blow around at facilities. Many shred events will accept it directly because it goes straight to secure destruction and recycling.

Curbside Recycling with Rumpke in Northern Kentucky

Rumpke provides curbside recycling service to the majority of households in Boone, Kenton, and Campbell Counties (some cities offer it as a subscription or included service—confirm with your city or hauler). Collection frequency is typically every other week on the same day as your trash pickup.

Simple Preparation Steps
  1. Empty & rinse any food or beverage residue from cartons and cups.
  2. Flatten all cardboard boxes to save space and prevent them from being rejected.
  3. Remove plastic lids, straws, and excessive tape from boxes and cups.
  4. Bag shredded paper in clear bags only.
  5. Place items loose in your recycling cart—do not use plastic bags for regular recyclables (they contaminate the stream).

Pro tip: Keep a small "recycling only" tote or bin in your home office or kitchen so paper doesn't accidentally go into the trash during busy weeks.

Confirm Your Service
  • • Call Rumpke: 1-800-828-8171
  • • Visit rumpke.com for collection calendar
  • • Check your city's website or utility bill for included vs. subscription service

Florence residents: Contact Public Services at 859-647-5416 for drop-off or subscription details.

24/7 Drop-Off: Big Blue Bins & Rumpke Locations

Don't have curbside service or need to recycle extra volume? Use the convenient Big Blue Bin network (Boone & Kenton Counties) or Rumpke-branded bins (Campbell County). These are available around the clock at fire stations, parks, schools, churches, and government buildings.

Kenton County Big Blue Bins (Comingle + Cardboard)
  • Kenton County Government Center, 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Covington
  • Pioneer Park, 3952 Madison Pike, Covington
  • Kenton County Public Works, 420 Independence Station Rd, Independence
  • Historic Kenton County Courthouse area, Independence
  • Kenton County Public Library branches (Erlanger & Independence)
  • Taylor Mill Public Works & other parks/schools

Developer: Embed or link to official interactive map from kentoncounty.org

Boone County & Campbell County Options

Boone County: Multiple Big Blue Bins at fire departments, schools, churches, and parks (e.g., Burlington, Erlanger, Florence areas). Some locations have dedicated PAPER ONLY bins.

Campbell County: Rumpke Recycling bins located throughout the county for 24/7 use. Check campbellcountyky.gov or call 859-547-1866 for nearest site.

Florence Recycling Center: Public Services Maintenance Facility, 7850 Tanners Lane — accepts paper, cardboard and more during regular hours.

Always keep plastic bags, food waste, yard debris, electronics, and hazardous materials out of these bins. Contamination can lead to fines or removal of the service.

Placeholder image: Mobile shredding truck or NKY recycling facility - Developer to replace with actual local photography

Secure Paper Shred Events in Northern Kentucky (2026)

Identity theft remains a real concern. Throwing sensitive documents in the trash or recycling can expose Social Security numbers, bank details, medical records, and more. Free or low cost community shred events often paired with e-waste or foam recycling give residents a safe, convenient way to destroy confidential paper while ensuring the shredded material is responsibly recycled.

Upcoming Highlight — September 12, 2026: Parker Real Estate Group / NKYHomes 11th Annual Free Community Shred Day in Florence (drive-thru, 10 AM–1 PM at 60 Cavalier Blvd). Staples & paper clips OK. No binders or electronics. Often includes donation drive for local shelters.
Known 2026 Events & Typical Annual Schedule
Florence • Boone County
Community Shred Day (Parker/NKYHomes)

September 12, 2026 • 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
60 Cavalier Blvd, Florence, KY 41042

  • Free drive-thru service
  • Document Destruction mobile shredder
  • Staples & paper clips accepted
  • No binders or electronics

Great option for Boone County residents. Check NKYHomes.com or local real estate partners for confirmation closer to date.

Fort Wright • Kenton County
Annual Community Shred Day

Mid to Late September 2026 (TBA)
Fort Wright City Building, 409 Kyles Lane

  • Partnership with Rudler, PSC & Shred-It
  • Accepts cardboard document boxes
  • Donations support "Shop with a Cop"

Follow City of Fort Wright social channels or website for exact date announcement.

Erlanger • Kenton County
Community Paper Shred Event

Early-to-Mid October 2026 (TBA)
Public Works Facility, 26 Montgomery Street

  • Max 4 brown paper bags per resident
  • Proof of residency usually required
  • On-site secure destruction

Follow @erlangerkygov on social media for updates.

Additional / Recurring Options
  • Covington / Keep Covington Beautiful: Annual Electronics + Foam + Paper Shred Event typically held mid-June at Holmes High School (Madison Ave entrance). Free for residents & qualifying organizations. Next expected June 2027. Contact sfields@covingtonky.gov or follow Keep Covington Beautiful on Instagram/Facebook.
  • Independence: Annual free shred event (recently April 25, 2026 at Senior & Community Center). Often partnered with Kenton County Parks & Recreation. Check 41051.com or City of Independence KY Facebook page.
  • Boone County Recycling Center: Shredding available during designated events or by appointment at 3275 Maplewood Drive, Burlington. Call 859-334-3151 or check boonecountyky.org for SignUpGenius links.
  • Kenton County Public Library branches: Occasional Shred-It pop up events (limit usually 2 banker's boxes). Monitor kentonlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events.
  • Private/Always-Available: Document Destruction (Cincinnati) 513-772-1114 • Shred-It • Local Office Depot & Staples locations (fee based).
Dates are compiled from city announcements and nkyrecycling.com/events/shred/ as of early July 2026. Many fall events are still being finalized. Always verify current details on official city websites, Facebook pages, or by calling your county Solid Waste Coordinator before heading out.

Stay Updated: City Websites & Social Media

Shred events and recycling program changes are frequently announced on city social channels and websites. Here are the primary sources our team monitors for Northern Kentucky:

Kenton County
kentoncounty.org • Big Blue Bins map
Facebook: City of Independence KY, Kenton County pages
Boone County / Florence
boonecountyky.org • florence-ky.gov
Instagram/Facebook: @cityofflorenceky
Covington & Keep Covington Beautiful
covingtonky.gov • keepcovingtonbeautiful.org
Instagram: @keepcovingtonbeautiful
Facebook: City of Covington, KCB pages

Pro tip: Turn on notifications for your city's Facebook page or join local neighborhood groups on Nextdoor for real-time event reminders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but only if you first place it inside a clear plastic bag and tie it securely. Loose shredded paper can escape during collection and sorting, causing contamination and equipment issues. Many residents prefer taking shredded paper to a community shred event where it is handled securely from start to finish.

It varies by event. Library pop-ups often limit participants to two banker's boxes. Some city events have no strict limit but encourage reasonable household quantities. Florence community events are usually drive-thru with practical car-load expectations. Always check the specific event announcement.

Rumpke transports commingled recyclables (including paper) to their material recovery facility (MRF) in the Cincinnati area. There, optical sorters and screens separate fibers from containers. Clean paper and cardboard are baled and sold to paper mills, many of which produce new packaging or tissue products. Shredded material from events is typically sent directly to secure destruction followed by recycling into new paper products.

For regular curbside or Big Blue Bin recycling: No need to remove staples or small paper clips—they are filtered out during processing. For most shred events: Staples and paper clips are usually fine; spiral notebooks and binders are often not accepted (remove pages first if possible).

Absolutely. Beyond the environmental benefits (trees, water, energy, landfill space), local programs create jobs in collection, sorting, and manufacturing. Keeping paper out of our regional landfills also reduces methane emissions and protects groundwater quality in the Ohio River watershed that serves millions downstream.

Key Resources & Contacts

  • Rumpke: 1-800-828-8171
  • Boone County Recycling Center: 859-334-3151
  • Document Destruction (shredding): 513-772-1114
  • Keep Covington Beautiful: sfields@covingtonky.gov

Ready to Recycle Smarter in Northern Kentucky?

Start with what's already in your home office or filing cabinet. Bag your shredded paper, flatten those boxes, and mark your calendar for the next community shred event. Every clean sheet of paper you recycle helps keep Northern Kentucky green for the next generation.

View Upcoming Shred Events Explore More NKY Recycling Guides