Curbside recycling is just the beginning of our recycling options. We found the following suggestions on Green Yahoo. By using the suggestions below a simple trip to the post office can accomplish a lot.
Plastics and Packaging Recycling
- Earthworks - this company recycles PVC plastic cards (hotel keys, gift cards, etc.). Once these items are collected they and turn them into sheets that new cards can be made of. If your retailer doesn’t accept used cards, you can just drop them in the mail. Mail old cards to: Earthworks, c/o Halprin Industries, 25840 Miles Road, Bedford, OH 44146. Please note: magnetic strips are okay but don’t send credit cards or those that contain paper backing.
- Recycline’s Preserve Gimme 5 Program - this company collects clean plastic containers that have a #5 stamped on the bottom such as yogurt cups, ketchup bottles, sour cream containers. The recycled plastic is then used to create razors, bowls, and many other cool products (that you can also send back when you’re done with them). To maximize eco-benefits, the company suggests using ground shipping.
- TerraCycle - this company creates shower curtains, totes, and funky fashion accesssories out of old energy bar wrappers, drink pouches, and other packaging. It recycles wine corks too. In some cases, you need to mail in large quantities so look for a drop-off location or send in your neighbors’ stuff too.
Apparel and Shoes
- Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe - this program has collected almost 22 million worn out athletic shoes since 1990. The shoes are ground up and turned into athletic fields. Nike prefers that you drop off shoes at participating stores, but you can also mail them.
- Patagonia’s Common Threads Garment Recycling Program- this company turns your old Patagonia clothing into new garments. Visit their website for specifics on what they take back and where you can send it.
E-waste
- Battery Solutions - this company sells boxes that you can fill up with batteries (both rechargeable and non-rechargeable), cell phones, PDAs, iPods, and others. The $24 fee includes a pre-paid FedEx shipping label.
- GreenDisc - this company recycles CDs, DVDs, video and audio tapes, and their cases. You can also send in most computer related waste-anything from printer cartridges to mice to laptops. It costs $6.95 to process up to 20lbs of waste. But before paying to recycle these items check out this post.
- Waste Management’s Think Green - this program sells recycling kits for batteries, CFLs, fluorescent tubes, and electronics. Prices vary depending on item. Fill the box they send you and mail it in.
Leave a Reply