UP-CYCING///RECYCLING///COMPOSTING

We are a drop-off location for a few “hard-to-recycle” items through TerraCycle and also work with EcoShip Chicago to repurpose packaging materials. These are FREE programs and items can be dropped off anytime during store hours.

Check below for accepted items!

TERRACYCLE PROGRAMS

GILETTE

All brands of blades, razors, and plastic packaging.

You do not need to clean out packaging before dropping it off, but please remove as much of the remaining product as possible and make sure the container is dry on the outside.

TOM’S OF MAINE AND HELLO NATURAL CARE

Mouthwash bottles and caps, toothbrushes, deodorant containers and caps, soap packaging, floss containers, and toothpaste tubes and caps.

You do not need to clean out the packaging before dropping it off, but please remove as much of the remaining product as possible and make sure the container is dry on the outside.

COLGATE

All brands of used or empty toothpaste tubes and caps, toothbrushes, toothpaste cartons, toothbrush outer packaging, and floss containers.

You do not need to clean out packaging before dropping it off, but please remove as much of the remaining product as possible and make sure the container is dry on the outside.

NOTE: Electric toothbrushes, battery toothbrushes, and/or their parts are not accepted for recycling through the program.

ECOSHIP

SHIPPING MATERIALS

  • Plastic Bubble Mailers:

    All sizes and colors are accepted. Must have bubble padding.

    • Free from holes, tears, dirt, sticky residue, ink stains

    • Do not cut label out

    • No UPS, USPS, or FedEx mailers.


  • Poly Bags:

    All sizes and colors are accepted.

    • Free from holes, tears, dirt, sticky residue, ink stains

    • No USPS, UPS, or FedEx

    • Do not cut label out

  • Clear Poly Bags:

    All sizes and brands are accepted, as long as they are clean.

    • Free from holes, tears, dirt, sticky residue, ink stains

    • No Food bags or Ziploc bags

    • Any bags that have been in contact with food, oils, or dirt will not be accepted by us.

    • Remove any receipts and garbage.

  • Bubble Wrap:

    Small and large bubbles of any color are accepted. Bubbles must be inflated.

    • No deflated bubbles

    • No Air Pillows

    • Remove all tape

    • Free from holes, tears, dirt, sticky residue, ink stains

  • Packing Peanuts:

    All colors and types (foam and starch) are accepted.

    • Place in secure packaging and keep separate from all other items. Do not mix with other items.

  • Packing Paper:

    All colors accepted. Please fold the paper before dropping off. Balled up paper will not be accepted.

    • No used Tissue paper (unless brand new)

    • No wadded paper from shoes

    • Free from holes, tears, dirt, sticky residue, ink stains

  • Honeycomb Packing Paper:

    Leave any tissue paper that comes with it - it’s part of the packaging.

    • Free from holes, tears, dirt, sticky residue, ink stains

  • Corrugated Bubble Wrap:

    This item will be thick and upcycled from cardboard boxes.

    • Free from holes, tears, dirt, sticky residue, ink stains

  • Paper Shred:

    All colors are accepted.

    • No private documents and personal mail shred

    • Place in secure packaging and keep separate from all other items.

  • Foam Packing Sheets:

    Only thin and flexible sheets will be accepted.

    • NO Styrofoam or thick (>1/4”) pieces of foam.

    • Recycle Styrofoam at DART (7575 S Kostner Ave) or Rogers Park (6441 N Ravenswood Ave).

  • Organza Bags:

    All sizes of unbranded organza bags accepted

    • Designs are okay (e.g. stars, polka dots, etc).

    • No branded bags

  • Packing Tape:

    Clear or tan accepted. Used rolls accepted if there is an acceptable amount of tape left

    • No duct tape, electrical tape, craft tape, painter’s tape, or double sided tape.

  • Plastic film

    Boxes

    Used Kraft bubble mailers

    Used Recyclable (paper) mailers

BLOCK BINS

COMPOST DROP OFF

Want to start composting but don't have a collection service at home? We can help! Bring your compost to us and drop it off in our Block Bin!

Price: $10 per five gallons of compost

MORE CHICAGO RESOURCES

CHICAGO ENVIRONMENTALISTS

An online community and directory of resources for living sustainably in the Chicagoland area with an active sustainability community that discuss and stay up to date on topics like eco events, legislation, zero waste living, recycling, composting, environmental justice, renewable energy, wildlife conservation, and more!

REDUCE WASTE CHICAGO

Hosts Reuse & Recycling Pop-Up events across the city, where they collect a large selection of items that can be reused, repurposed or are difficult to recycle. They also collaborate with other organizations and artists to collect specific items, such holiday lights, bras and plastic utensils.