If you would like to pickup an order at the Malden Farmer's Market (8/26, 9/2, 9/16, 10/7, 10/28) - choose Commonwealth Kitchen from the Pickup location menu. Put "P/U at MFM" in the notes box at checkout.
If you would like to pickup an order at the Malden Farmer's Market (8/26, 9/2, 9/16, 10/7, 10/28) - choose Commonwealth Kitchen from the Pickup location menu. Put "P/U at MFM" in the notes box at checkout.
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More Recycling Resources Than You Can Handle (Seriously)!
August 2, 2026 Alys Myers

More Recycling Resources Than You Can Handle (Seriously)!

So, we all know that recycling isn't the goal, right? Most items never get recycled and putting plastics into another form to just to have them degrade and shed isn't really helping the situation in the long run....but....we all find ourselves with things we don't know what to do with and don't want to just throw them in the landfill. So, here are some (read LOTS) of options of what to do with a wide variety of these things to make sure they don't go to waste. So....here is part 1: large retailers & municipalities in your area (the list is big y'all)!

  • Staples

    • Tech

      • Adapters & hubs

      • Apple® AirTag® trackers

      • Battery backup devices

      • Cable/satellite receivers

      • Calculators

      • Car & wall chargers

      • CD/DVD/Blu-ray discs & players

      • Coffee brewers (less than 40 lb.)

      • Computers & Mac®

      • Computer speakers

      • Connected home devices

      • Digital & video cameras

      • Digital projectors

      • Earbuds & AirPods®

      • Fax machines

      • Flash drives

      • Gaming consoles & controllers

      • GPS devices

      • Hard drives

      • Headphones & headsets

      • Keyboards & mice

      • Label makers

      • Laminators

      • Laptops & MacBook®

      • Mobile phones & iPhone®

      • MP3 players & iPod®

      • Routers & modems

      • Scanners

      • Shredders

      • Small servers

      • Smart speakers & HomePod®

      • Smart watches & Apple Watch®

      • Stereo receivers

      • Streaming devices & Apple TV®

      • Stylus pens & Apple Pencil®

      • Tablets, iPad® & eReaders

      • USB & Lightning® cables

      • Webcams

    • Printer Cartridges

      • Ink cartridges

      • Toner cartridges & drum units

    • School supplies

      • Backpacks & lunch bags

      • Binders & zipper binders (empty)

      • Crayons & colored pencils

      • Glue sticks & bottles (empty)

      • Pencils & pencil pouches

      • Pens, markers & highlighters

      • Rulers & drafting tools

    • Misc items

      • Bags & luggage

      • Phone & iPhone cases

      • Tablet, iPad & eReader cases

      • Smart watch & Apple Watch bands

      • SodaStream® CO2 cylinders

    • For a fee

      • Printers & multifunction devices ($9.99 each)

      • Rechargeable and single-use batteries ($2.99 per visit)

      • Shredding (cost per pound)

      • Monitors up to 49" ($29.99 each)

  • Target

    • Bottle and can recycling (aluminum, glass and plastic beverage containers)

    • Plastic film (high and low density such as plastic bags and bubble wrap)

    • Small device electronics recycling (think MP3 players, GPS devices and ink cartridges)

  • Lowes: 

    • CFLs bulbs

    • String lights (like Christmas lights)

    • Rechargeable batteries

    • Plastic planter pots

    • Cell phones

    • In store bins

  • Sephora

    • Beauty (Re)Purposed program with Pact Collective

    • Finished beauty products collected at store

    • PLASTIC


      • Must be 2x2 inches or smaller


      • Small tubes, bottles, jars, caps


      • Lipstick, lip gloss, and mascara tubes, wands, and applicators


      • Eyeliner, prow, and lip pencils


      • Pumps, dispensers

    • COLORED GLASS

      • Small bottles, jars

    • MIXED MATERIALS

      • Palettes, compacts, pumps


      • Dental floss containers


      • Toothpaste tubes

  • Bay State Textiles - Boxes located all throughout Massachusetts, see list

    • Shoes

    • Clothes (any condition)

    • fabric scraps

    • Hats, pocketbooks, belts, gloves, duffle bags, ties, scarves, totes, bathrobes

    • Linens like sheets, blankets, drapes, pillows, towels, comforters, throw rugs, placemats, Stuffed animals

  • Can Carrier Recycling

    • Collect and recycle plastic 6-pack beer can holders

  • Styrofoam recycling - Insulation Technology, Bridgewater, 35 1st St, Bridgewater, MA 02324

    • Free to the public

    • Drop-off clean, no tape, no labels, no carboard

  • Ridwell takes lots of items, put in bags, they come pickup or you can mail-in

    • Pickup curb side starting at $20/month - NOT in Boston area yet

    • Mail-in is $18/month, $20 bi-monthly or pay as you go $12/bag

    • Free

      • Multi-layer plastic food wrappers

      • Plastic film

      • Recyclable threads

      • Clothes and shoes

      • Batteries

      • Lightbulbs

    • Small additional fee

      • Styrofoam

      • Latex paint

      • Fluorescent tubes

  • Recycle Smart Massachusetts directory

  • Home Depot

    • Hard Plastics

    • Packing foams

    • Soft plastics

    • Cardboard and paper packaging

    • Plastic plant pots

    • Lead-acid batteries

    • Button and coin cell batteries

    • Lithium-ion batteries

    • Alkaline batteries

    • Nickel-based rechargeable batteries

    • CFL bulbs

    • Incandescent and halogen bulbs

    • Fluorescent Tubes

    • LED bulbs

    • Major appliances

    • Electronics and small devices

    • General building materials

    • Hazardous materials

    • Wood scraps

    • Scrap metal

    • Clothing and shoes, small items such as kitchenware and décor, toys, books and games, storage bins and organizers, and linens and towels

  • Donation & Reuse on Mass.gov

  • Building Materials: Drop off usable lumber, doors, and hardware

    • Boston Building Resources in Roxbury

      • Drop-off Tuesday and Saturdays 10am to 2pm or by appointment

      • Pick-up is $150 minimum

      • They can do deconstruction

      • Appliances

        • Must be 7 years old or newer and in perfect working order

        • If you're unsure of the model or manufacture date, it's most likely too old

      • Tile

        • No tile lots under 50 sq. ft.

        • Exception: a single brand new unopened box

      • Windows & Doors

        • No old windows, storm windows, or single-pane windows

        • No sashes alone — windows must be complete units

        • Solid core only — no hollow doors.

        • Must be standard residential size (e.g., 30” x 80”)

        • Custom doors only accepted if brand new

      • Lighting Fixtures

        • No ceiling fans

        • All hardware must be included

      • Heating & Water Systems

        • No water heaters, boilers, or heating systems due to regulations

        • Sensors or other parts may be accepted

      • Lumber, Trim & Wood

        • No lumber, trim, molding, plywood, or wood pieces under 5 ft

        • All wood must be denailed

      • Miscellaneous Hardware

        • No random open boxes of fasteners, plumbing, electrical components, or door hardware

        • All accepted hardware must be neatly packaged

    • Habitat ReStore in West Roxbury

      • Appliances (less than eight years old)

      • Building materials and tools

      • Architectural items

      • Doors and windows

      • Cabinets

      • Flooring

      • Furniture

      • Hardware

      • Home Decor

      • Lighting

      • Plumbing Supplies

  • Good place to search for “Beyond the Bin” items

  • Comprehensive Search Directories

  • The best directory for finding verified, ethically responsible electronics recyclers

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