Interested in joining our community of recyclers but not sure where to start? You’ve come to the right place. In this blog, you’ll find a short-but-comprehensive guide to recycling with TerraCycle. Let’s go!
What is TerraCycle?
We are the most innovative waste management company on earth. For over 20 years, we’ve been inventing new ways to recycle and reuse garbage. We’re different from traditional waste management companies because we focus on recycling the “unrecyclable”: items that you can’t recycle locally, including cigarette butts, toys, mascara wands, and much more. Learn more about TerraCycle.
What does TerraCycle do?
Our mission is to eliminate the idea of waste. We offer a range of solutions, including:
- Free recycling programs, which are sponsored by brands so that you pay nothing to participate.
- Zero Waste Boxes, which are available for purchase to recycle almost any type of trash.
- Loop, a new way to shop, waste-free; get the products you love in reusable packaging.
In addition, we partner with organizations to help them recycle on a large scale, integrate recycled content into their products, shift to reusable packaging, and much more.
How do the free recycling programs work?
Are free recycling programs really free? You bet! They are sponsored by brands, manufacturers, and retailers, who cover the cost of shipping and recycling.
To get started, simply sign up for a TerraCycle account and then explore our free recycling programs. Choose the ones you’d like to participate in and click the button to join the program. Next:
- Reuse any box you have to start collecting for a program.
- As your box fills up, sign in to your TerraCycle account to download and print a prepaid shipping label.
- Seal your box, affix the prepaid shipping label, and send it back to us for recycling.
For certain programs, you have another option for getting your trash to us: public drop-off points. Find more info under “What are TerraCycle public drop-off points?”.
How do I join a free recycling program?
Once you have created your TerraCycle account and are logged in, visit the web page of a program you would like to join. Click the button to join the program. You can join as many free recycling programs as you’d like!
Who can participate in TerraCycle programs?
Anyone can join our free recycling programs.
What free recycling programs does TerraCycle offer in the US?
You can find the full list of TerraCycle free recycling programs here.
Please note that some programs have a limited number of spots, so you may be placed on a waitlist if a program is full. Or, you may be able to find a TerraCycle public drop-off point near you for the program.
What can I send in through TerraCycle’s free recycling programs?
You can send in the items accepted for each specific program that you join. For instance, one beauty brand may sponsor a program for us to recycle their own beauty product packaging only, while another will accept packaging from other brands as well. The web page for the program will detail exactly what you can send to TerraCycle to be recycled through that program.
What are TerraCycle public drop-off points?
You can participate in our free recycling programs by joining a program and sending in your products and/or packaging using a prepaid label, as described above, or you can use a public drop-off point.
A public drop-off point is a community hub where you can drop off your recycling. It’s simple: find a drop-off point near you and drop off accepted items. No account or shipping needed. The volunteer administrator of the public drop-off point will send the recycling to TerraCycle using a prepaid label. Look for a drop-off point map on the web page of the free recycling program that accepts trash you’d like to send to TerraCycle. Search your address on the map to see if there is a drop-off point near you.
How do I recycle garbage not accepted by free recycling programs?
Items like cardboard packaging, #1 and #2 plastics, and aluminum cans are typically collected by your municipal recycling service. Check with your local recycling service to see what types of waste they accept.
For items not accepted locally or through our free recycling programs, purchase a Zero Waste Box™. With Zero Waste Boxes, you can #RecycleEverything!
Do I get rewarded for recycling through TerraCycle?
You can earn recycling rewards points for sending us your garbage! For sending in shipments through participating free recycling programs, you automatically accrue TerraCycle points. The more you send in, the more points you can earn. Redeem them for donations to your favorite school, non-profit, or charity. Each point is equivalent to $0.01.
What happens to the items received by TerraCycle?
When we receive your shipment at one of our Material Recovery Facilities, we scan it to register the shipment information, date, weight, and type of material inside.
The contents of the shipment are first manually sorted into broad product categories (flexible plastic, coffee capsules, toothbrushes, etc.) We then sort mechanically based on material composition and characteristics, using a wide variety of sorting technologies, including size separation, sink/float, optical, air density, gravity, magnetic, and more, to route material downstream for proper processing and handling.
Once sorted by category, the different material types are cleaned and then sent to third-party partners to process the materials into raw material that is used to make new products, like park benches, flooring tiles, garden beds, and more.
You can even purchase products made from the trash we recycle together! Shop the TerraCycle Made collection.
Still have questions? Visit our online Help Center to find answers to dozens of questions or connect directly with a customer service representative.
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