This guide contains options for recycling beyond the usual paper and plastic.
If you're unsure about an item's recyclability, don't toss it in and hope for the best. "When in doubt, throw it out" is a good rule of thumb. Incorrectly placed items can cause problems with equipment at recycling facilities, possibly endangering workers and/or contaminating other materials.
Appliances - Large & Small
Donate (working appliances only):Salvation Army thrift stores
*Goodwill does not typically accept appliance donations in the Chicagoland area although they do in some other regions.
Recycle:
Best Buy accepts many large and small appliances.
Batteries
The EPA has deemed alkaline batteries suitable for landfill disposal, but you can still put them in the bins around campus.
When you're away from DePaul, check out the
Call2Recycle directory to find drop off locations near you (most Home Depot, Lowe's, Staples stores and more).
Clothes & Other Textiles
Button & Zipper runs an
annual coat drive with many participating locations around Chicago.
Madewell accepts all types of old jeans at their stores - they make them into housing insulation and you get $20 off a new pair!
Can be donated to
Demon Surplus With A Purpose (SWAP) held at the end of each academic year.
Many thrift stores accept clothing and textiles EVEN IF they're unwearable (call and ask your location to be sure). These items are sold to textile recyclers to be made into industrial rags, carpet fibers, insulation and more. Check out
Nearly New Thrift Store nearby!
Levi's now offers clothing and shoe recycling at all of its mainline and outlet locations in the US. Items must be clean and dry.
The North Face offers recycling for all clothing regardless of brand or condition.
USAgain bins - search for the nearest location on their site.
Reusable bags often get thrown out when they become tattered and worn. Send your bags to
Chicobag instead (click on Zero Waste Program)! They'll be given to low income families or recycled through partnerships with artists, crafters, and nonprofits.
Flower Vases
The Ray Meyer Fitness and Recreation Center is a drop off location for
Random Acts of Flowers, an organization that collects flowers from events and delivers them to people in healthcare facilities. You may bring any glass, ceramic, plastic etc. vase or container made for flowers (mason jars are also acceptable) to the front desk at the Ray. Please no containers with drainage, candleholders, bud vases, mugs, bowls or baskets. Ideal vases are 6-9 inches tall, not too thin or wide, with a ~3.5 inch opening.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
HHW includes all types of household chemicals (cleaners,
pesticides) and products containing hazardous materials (smoke alarms,
batteries). These items should never be placed in household trash or recycling
bins.
Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling facility
Some municipalities offer HHW collection exclusively for their residents – check first
with your local government. If no such local option exists, the following
facilities (as well as the Chicago one listed above) are available to all
Illinois residents.
Personal Care Products
Cosmetics: Origins accepts empty containers of any brand/type for recycling in their stores. MAC, Lush, Kiehl's and Aveda take back their own empty containers. Bare Minerals, Stila and Jane Iredale offer refillable compacts which can reduce waste. TerraCycle has a Personal Care and Beauty Brigade mail in recycling program which accepts most items.
Nail Polish: Considered HHW and can be brought to HHW facilities that accept it. Chemwise runs a mail in recycling program.
Toothbrushes & Razors: These are not recyclable unless purchased from Preserve and recycled through their Gimme 5 Program.
Feminine Hygiene Products: Consider reusable menstrual cups and cloth pads instead of traditional, plastic-based, disposable products.
Shoes
You can donate gently used shoes of any size/type in the Share Your Soles bin located in the lobby of the Ray Meyer Fitness & Recreation Center.
Nike Reuse-A-Shoe accepts no longer wearable athletic shoes for recycling into artificial turf and other products.
Vehicles
There are many great organizations you can donate a no longer needed car to: