Where To Recycle Clothes, Household Items, Makeup, and Other Odds and Ends

Summary

This is my list of places I recycle clothes, household items, makeup, and more!

I’ve spent an absurd amount of time searching for places to recycle those household products that I hate throwing into the landfill. It’s painful to see all the waste!

And before that even happens, I work so hard to buy home essentials that have compostable or glass packaging and are made by environmentally-savvy companies.

It never feels like enough and I struggle with it. And I know others struggle with it, too.

There aren’t a lot of affordable and convenient options for the average person to responsibly dispose of EVERYTHING. You also have to be somewhat organized (I am somewhat DISorganized!) and carve out additional time in your day to go the extra environmental mile.

I can understand why people give up on this!

Sooooo, I’ve compiled a list of my current go-tos for being greener. Maybe it’ll take out some of the guesswork and inspire you with new ways to be environmentally-friendly.

This list also includes stuff like old medicines and paint that experts recommend being properly disposed of every time.

Old Sheets, Towels & Blankets

Used linens can be tricky. Do people really want these? Some thrift shops take them to be used as scraps for craft projects like rag rugs. They can also be cut up to use as cleaning cloths.

If you’re Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music, you could make play clothes for your melodious children!

If your sheets and comforters are like-new or gently used, you might find an area women’s shelter or city rescue mission that will take clean linens for their guests.

What I’ve been doing lately is donating older linens to my local dog shelter. I had to do a little research and calling around, but with the amount of animals entering shelters on a daily basis, they have a continuous need for cozy bedding for their fur babies.

If you know of a smaller, local rescue with fewer resources, even better.

Dog shelters also take clean, gently used pet toys and other supplies like leashes and harnesses. It’s always good to call ahead and don’t forget to wash your donations before dropping them off!

Things I’ve donated to the dog shelter:

• Blankets, throws, and sheets
• Thin comforters that can be easily washed
• Pet toys (You can wash on delicate in your washing machine!)
• Towels of all sizes
• Dog beds
• Kennels

Batteries & Light Bulbs

I have a bin for old batteries and, when it gets full, I make a trip to my local hardware store for recycling. Not every hardware store provides this service, so it’s good to check out their website or give them a call.

I’ve also recycled batteries and light bulbs when I’ve taken old paint to my county’s wastewater company, which has a program for specific household odds and ends, including pens and markers.

Expired Medications

Check with your state laws, but it’s typically common practice to properly dispose of expired medicines.

I take mine to CVS, but other stores like Walgreens have programs, too.

Your municipal police department might be another resource. They run events at my grocery store during certain times of the year and might have the capability to accept your meds on a regular basis. Call or check out their website!

Eyeglasses

This is another one that’s baffled me! BUT I now know my eye doctor collects used eyeglasses for recycling and sends them to the Lions Club.

Check with your family optometrist for more info! OR if you want to go directly through the Lions Club organization, that’s a great idea, too! They also accept hearing aids.

Makeup

The joy I get from recycling my makeup containers even scares me. It’s always bothered me for all of those hard plastic cases, tubes, and jars to be tossed into the garbage. Just because I want to look my best doesn’t mean I should trash up the earth!

Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack have made my life easier through their partnership with Terracycle.

Just take your used and cleaned-out makeup containers of ALL brands to a Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack store. They have a skinny, pink receptacle up front where you can drop it all off.

This way, everybody wins, and we can keep our planet just as pretty as we are!

If you want to avoid plastic makeup in the first place, Axiology Beauty wraps their lipsticks in recycled papers made from a female-owned company in Bali. This paper recycling process is fascinating and I give them MAJOR PROPS for all the extra steps they take to love on the environment.

Axiology Beauty is vegan and cruelty-free and that makes my heart the happiest.

You can take their color match quiz

Old Underwear, Socks & Other Raggedy Textiles

Do you feel super weird just throwing your old underwear in the trash? It seems wrong, right?

I’ve found the solution!

H&M will accept all kinds of clean textiles. Please, oh, please launder them before you drop off your drawers. I’m sure H&M is very happy to take your old undies off your hands, but I’d imagine not as happy without a good wash.

There are various underwear brands that also recycle your undies. Hanky Panky has a program called Lingeriecycle. They take underwear, bras, socks, and tights. Plus, they send a FREE shipping label. LingerieYAY!

Also, check out Subset and Parade! Parade’s program is on hold at the moment, but that can change as fast as we change (or should change) our underpants! Plus, you get a free scarf with your first order. It’s very fanciful!

Trashie is a program I just found out about and am actually trying this week! You basically purchase a large Take Back Bag and mail off your unwanted clothing, washed underwear, socks, bras, shoes, purses, jewelry, and more to be properly recycled. It’s disturbing to know how many clothes end up going in the landfill, so I’m excited about this option!

Here are the items listed on their website that will go in the Take Back Bag:

• Pants
• Shirts
• Sweaters
• Coats
• Jackets
• Socks (singles or pairs)
• Washed underwear (Make sure it’s clean, y’all!)
• Sweatshirts
• Swimwear
• Dresses
• Tops
• Leggings
• Sports Bras
• Jerseys
• Uniforms
• Kids’ Clothing

• Sneakers
• Boots
• High Heels
• Sandals
• Mules
• Slides
• Single Shoes (I’m kinda partial to strong, independent shoes!)

• Unsoiled bath towels
• Robes
• Sheets
• Pillowcases
• Blankets
• Down comforters
• Duvet covers (no grease stains pretty please because they clog up the recycling machines)

• Bags
• Backpacks
• Purses
• Clutches
• Crossbody bags

• Belts
• Suspenders
• Hats
• Caps
• Helmets

• Jewelry
• Scarves
• Handkerchiefs
• Bandanas
• Old seasonal costumes
• Holiday décor

Electronics, Cords & Shredders

I’ve taken old cords, CDs, batteries, pens, markers, an e-reader, and even a shredder (a SHREDDER) to be recycled at Staples. They also recycle things like coffee makers, backpacks, and luggage.

Check out their list of accepted materials.

If you have old Apple devices, you can also take those to one of their store locations to recycle or refurbish. Visit their website for details.

Paint & Household Cleaners

Properly disposing of paint is important. There are probably lots of reasons we should do this, but I think the main one is to protect our environment and waterways from chemicals that are bad for us.

Check out this article from Lowe’s on all-things-paint.

There are community locations that will take your old paint. As I mentioned earlier, I go to my area wastewater company. I’ve taken my old paint cans, cleaning products, bug sprays* (ugh, these chemicals make me gag and I no longer use them), motor oil, and weed killer. (It was left by the former homeowner and I use natural methods for weeds–like activating my very out-of-shape muscles to yank them up!).

If you have any trouble trying to locate a place, talk to a painting or contracting company or check with your local hardware store. They should be able to direct you to the right place.

*Also, currently taking any suggestions for natural ways to repel mosquitoes. They devour me. I can be wearing every piece of winter gear I own and one of those little demons will still find me!

Plastic Bags

First off, if you CAN, try to use reusable shopping bags. I LOVE Envirosax!

They are SO adorable and fold into compact shapes that snap up and can be tucked in your purse or glove compartment.

I also ADORE bags by NymphFable. For my wedding, I used them as guest welcome bags that could double as beach bags for the entire weekend.

I also love Blue Q. I give their creations as gifts because the designs and copy are JUST THAT GREAT. Here’s a shopping tote approved by my dogter, Cosette. And this tote, approved by 7-year-old me.

Another item I’m loving right now are plant-based trash bags by HoldOn. They’re BPI-certified for compost, but can be used for regular garbage bins. I buy the mini ones for my restroom and the larger ones for my kitchen to line the recycling bin and dispose of rubbish that cannot otherwise be diverted from the landfill.

If you do have plastic bags, most grocery stores have a recycling bin that will take them.

Toothbrushes & Toothpaste Tubes

Through Terracyle, Tom’s of Maine and Colgate have free programs to mail back any brand of toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes, and packaging.

You have to print out a shipping label, and I’ll admit that it’s not my favorite thing to do. But what I’ve found to be the easiest solution is to save the label on a thumb drive and get it printed at a local printer.

If you have a printer at home or if your workplace is fine and dandy with using their printer, even better!

Personal Razors

Okay, not my favorite thing to recycle either, if I’m being honest. But, I do try and maybe nature will thank me later.

Terracyle works with Gillette® to make the razor recycling magic happen, but this one isn’t completely free. You pay for shipping, so maybe don’t recycle 5,000 razors at once. And pray tell, what are you doing with 5,000 razors?

Never mind, I don’t want to know.

Another way to avoid this altogether is to find hair removal alternatives that will eliminate the need for personal razors. That will have to be another post. Or not!

But please check out Terracycle because there are many great programs and some have community drop-off bins. Win, win!

Home Décor & Other Cool Stuff You Want to Part With

Buy Nothing Project. Type that into the Facebook search bar now!

I found this sweet little neighborhood swap community through A to Zen Life on YouTube. I also highly recommend this channel for minimal living tips.

Buy Nothing Project has been so great for me!

If you have Facebook, you can participate in “Buy Nothing Project” and find the group located in your area. Once you sign up with your local neighborhood and get accepted to join, you can give away and get deals on SO MANY THINGS.

And it’s all free!

Just to name a few, I’ve given away:

• Books
• Stuffed animals
• Costume jewelry
• Greeting cards
• Picture frames
• Scrapbooks
• Wine glasses
• Throw pillow inserts
• Mason jar mugs
• Pottery
• Ceiling fans
• Plants
• ‘70s nutcrackers
• Roller skating knee pads
• Snazzy high heels
• Wreaths
• Shoes
• Scarves
• Gift boxes
• A weekender bag
• An air mattress
• A dog waterer
• A random souvenir coin
• An even random-er statue
• Cat ears (not from a real cat, obviously)
• Even a trashcan (Talk about bringing it back around.)

People want your crap, people.

And just to be fair, I gift stuff (not crap!) that’s like-new, sometimes actually new, and deserves a second use. They are mostly items I thought I needed or were cute or don’t use anymore: stuff someone else can love, too!

I’ve even unknowingly given away pro tips! I have a snack bowl out for my awesome delivery people and one of my neighbors has now adopted this trend as well.

I like this resource because, while it would be nice to sell for a little extra cash, it’s a REAL PAIN to go through all of that hoopla. I just leave it on my porch and, voila, my clutter becomes someone else’s prize.

You can also request particular things you’re in search of and be gifted items just as you would gift them to others.

It’s helped me to declutter, plus know that things I no longer need or can store are going to a home that’ll appreciate them.

I’ve really enjoyed this neighborhood resource!

Also, it’s felt very safe with all of my swaps. BUT since I’m known as WORST CASE SCENARIO GIRL to some in my inner circle, I want to stress safety at all times. Trust your gut—you know the one! And only communicate and trade when you feel comfortable with the person.

Miscellaneous Recycling

I love to learn and share with others who are also in the market for going greener. Here’s a nifty book on reducing plastic usage that I’ve found to be a practical, quick read. Maybe you’ll enjoy it, too!

I still have plenty of things I don’t know how to recycle yet, and that saddens me. But as I find more places, I’ll update the list!

So, what are YOUR secrets to recycling the random stuff? Please let me know in the comments!