What to do with hard to recycle items

We sometimes find items at our bins that fall into the ‘hard to recycle’ category.  While we love to see textiles, figuring out what to do with things like old mattress and styrofoam can be a challenge.

We are here to help!  We’ve pulled together tips and tricks on what do do with some of our most frequently asked about hard to recycle items.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral highly heat resistant. Unfortunately, exposure to Asbestos has serious health consequences. Green Zone is NOT able to accept any asbestos material.

The Mesothelioma Center complies resources and information for those looking to responsibly handle asbestos materials and those affected by exposure.

Production of asbestos textiles in the U.S. ended in the late 1980s. Asbestos textiles are manufactured internationally, and it remains legal to import these products into the U.S.

Batteries & Old Electronics.  

Batteries contain toxic metals that can leach into the environment when disposed of improperly, and there’s lots of easy ways to keep them out of the landfill.  Retailers including Best Buy and Staples  accept old batteries and electronics (including laptops) for recycling.

Vehicle batteries are also important to recycle.  According to the Responsible Battery Coalition, as many as 12% of consumers still have an old battery at home which could instead be used in producing a new battery.  Local vehicle battery retailers such as Walmart and AutoZone accept used batteries for recycling.

Medical Equipment:  Durable Medical Equipment and Medication

Look for organizations in your area that accept donations of “durable medical equipment” – this includes things like wheelchairs, crutches, shower supports, and more.

North Carolina – HELP, Health Equipment Loan Program

Georgia – Friends of Disabled Adults and Children

South Carolina – AccessAbility

Not having luck?  Try calling your local hospital.

Be honest about the condition of your equipment.  Some organizations are equipped to handle repairs, while others can only accept the most gently used items.  Telling them up front what you have will help them point you in the right direction.

Plastic prescription bottles are recyclable, usually through local municipal programs.  Your pharmacy may also accept these containers for recycling.  Before recycling, please make sure the bottle is empty and that your identifying information has been removed.   Blister Packs are another common packaging option.  Usually a mixture of materials, the best way to recycle this packaging is to separate the rigid plastic and recycle with your other plastics.

While medications are not recyclable, it is important to dispose of them properly.  Many police departments and other municipal service providers will host drop off days where expired or unused medication can be dropped off to ensure proper disposal.  Alternatively, the FDA has recommendations on how to properly dispose of medication in your household waste stream.

Baby Items

Babies grow up and out of diapers fast!  Find a diaper bank with a drop off location near you to put your unused diapers to good use.

Diaper Bank of SC
Helping Mamas in GA
Diaper Bank of NC

Foam

Foam products are frequently intended for a single use.  Things like styrofoam cups and takeout containers are not always accepted by municipal recycling programs.  If this is the case in your area, the foam manufacturing company Dart has put together a map with the locations of foam recycling centers.  Through their Recycla-Pak Program,  they provide boxes that can be filled and shipped back.

Used Mattresses

Mattresses are big and bulky – not a good thing to end up in a landfill.  Fortunately, they are also up to 80% recyclable.   Some states have even started to mandate that mattresses be recycled.  Some mattress manufacturers provide information on where used mattresses can be taken for recycling – sleeponlatex offers a map, as does bye bye mattress.

1-800-Got-Junk, will, for a fee, pick up your mattress and take it for donation or recycling.

Can’t find an option near you?  

Try looking for a mail in program!  A convenient way to get difficult to recycle items out of your house and out of the landfill.

Struggling with a hard to recycle item?  Comment below and we’ll try to help!

With a little extra effort, we are able to make a big difference for the environment and our communities.  Thank you for recycling!