As the impacts of a disposable economy become increasingly evident, Simply Sustainable Lifestyle aims to simplify doing the right thing. To achieve this objective, we offer these tips and resources to effortlessly assist individuals in recycling or selling unused items instead of discarding them in the trash.
Here, you’ll discover links answering your questions about where and how to recycle items you no longer need.
Use an online recycling locator
Earth911: USA & CA With over 350 materials and 100,000+ listings, Earth911 maintains one of North America’s most extensive recycling databases. Simply dial 1(800)CLEANUP, or enter in the material you are trying to recycle along with your zip code and click search.
Recycle Now: UK Recycle Now was established in 2004 when recycling by citizens was in its infancy. Today recycling has been widely adopted across the UK and Recycle Now continues to motivate more people, to recycle more of the right things, more often.
· TerraCycle: USA At TerraCycle, our mission is Eliminating the Idea of Waste®. Businesses, government entities, and people like you work with us globally to keep trash out of landfills or from incineration. Through collaboration and innovation, we’ve developed the world’s first solutions in everything from recycling to reuse.
- Recycling: Our first recommendation is always that manufacturers design their products or packages to be locally recyclable. If that is not possible, we partner with brands to create free recycling programs, scaling each program to whatever level the sponsor is interested in. Alternatively, stakeholders may purchase the recycling solution for any given waste stream by reviewing our available paid recycling solutions.
- Recycled content: Another step in the journey towards a circular economy is to work with manufacturers to help them make their products or packages from waste. This generates demand for recycled content, which, along with recycling, creates a recycling-based circular economy.
- Reuse: We also help companies “tighten the circle” by moving from recycling to reuse. Through Loop, we have developed a global reuse platform that allows brands to easily develop reusable packaging and for retailers to make those products easily available to consumers.
· Recycle Nation: USA Since 2007, RecycleNation has helped over 10 million customers find locations to recycle various types of items, helping make the planet a greener, more sustainable place. Today, RecycleNation now helps over 300,000 unique visitors per month with their specific recycling needs.
· RecyclingNearYou.com.au: Australia Recycling Near You has been guiding Australians on their recycling journey since 2006. The recycling directory and education hub provides comprehensive reuse and recycling information relevant to the user’s location.
By visiting the website, you can:
- Discover what can be put in your household recycling bin.
- Find reuse and recycling options for things that can’t be recycled at home such as clothing, electronics, mattresses, paint, white goods, coffee capsules and more.
Search local government websites
If you’re in the US, refer to this search engine to find your local government website.
US Environmental Protection Agency EPA maintains answers to frequent questions about many topics in searchable databases. In addition, some individual offices and programs maintain their own Frequent Questions web pages.
NYS Department of Environment and Conservation DMM, Bureau of Waste Reduction and Recycling
Check retailer take-back programs
Many retailers offer take-back and buy-back programs for products they sell. Brands such as
Ikea, Buyback & Resell used IKEA furniture you don’t need in a safe, streamlined. You get IKEA in-store credit to refresh your home.
Nike, Recycling + Donation
Instead of throwing it away, leave it with us. We’ll donate or recycle your used Nike athletic gear to make sure it lives on, even when you’re done wearing it.
Patagonia, Products that have reached the end of their useful lives may be sent back to them to be recycled or repurpose. They accept all Patagonia products for recycling at their Service Center or retail stores.
NYSAR3 is about you, the people of New York State interested in learning about, supporting and promoting reduction, reuse, recycling, and responsible materials management in New York State.
Find specialized electronic and hazardous waste collection locations
Find specialized electronic and hazardous waste collection locations
Some items like batteries, paints, and electronics need special disposal. Use online recycling locators to find options. Try Call2Recycle.org for batteries and cell phones in the USA and Canada. Look out for local hazardous waste collection events on government websites.
Green Squared, has a Zero Landfill Pledge. Collect as many electronic devices as you want to recycle or sell, and print a FedEx or UPS label directly from the website here. Shipping is free (there’s a short video tutorial to help) but it’s seriously as easy as checking out online.
Some items like batteries, paints, and electronics need special disposal. Use online recycling locators to find options. Try Call2Recycle.org for batteries and cell phones in the USA and Canada. Look out for local hazardous waste collection events on government websites.
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