Where to Recycle Household Goods
While I’m big on learning and sharing recycling basics for the usual things like glass, cardboard, and plastics, what about how to recycle household goods?
Regardless of how great we are at using a product for its whole life, there comes a time to replace things. But how do you recycle computers? fan? christmas lights? etc.?!
Here’s an ongoing list for how and where to recycle household goods, including electronics recycling!
What do I mean by household goods? Just about anything that isn’t an appliance! Below are some stores that accept your old phone, tech, beauty containers, medications, clothing, batteries…..and the list goes on.
I will be updating this post as I learn of more places as well!
CONTENTS
Where to Recycle Household Goods
I think the most straightforward way to list all this information is by store. I’ve tried to highlight and organize the items accepted, however, so it’s a bit easier to scan for what you need.
Electronic Recycling is first since I know that’s a big struggle for us all!
Frequently Asked Recycling Questions
Are CDs Recyclable?
CDs are recyclable! They are NOT curbside, recyclable. Look for local drop off places. Or mail in for a very small fee to Green Citizen. CD cases are curbside recyclable – check locally.
How to recycle Christmas lights?
Christmas lights are not curbside recyclable, but there are options. Check locally for drop off options, or mail in for a very small fee to Green Citizen.
Electronic Recycling
What does Best Buy Recycle? (Electronic Recycling)
So. Best Buy is basically your best source electronic recycling! The list of the items they accept to recycle is EXTENSIVE. It’s a bit mind-boggling. You can get the entire list of items recycled here.
First things first – no you do not have to have bought the item from Best Buy! Second, they limit you to 3 items per household to recycle per day, so don’t show up with a truckload of items. Control yourself!
- Alarm Clocks
- Amps
- Cables, Chargers, + Connectors
- Cell Phones
- Computers & Tablets
- Ereaders
- Fans
- GPS
- Hair Dryers & Straighteners
- Headphones
- Ink & Toner
- Music & Satellite Radios
- Robot & Stick Vacuums
- Televisions & Video Players
- Video Game Consoles
I’ve walked into Best Buy once to do the electronic recycling and it was literally as easy as you’d imagine. They even saw me walking in with one hand holding my toddler’s hand and the other hand holding items – they quickly came over to help me in. Within minutes, we were back outside with no more electronics!
Where to Recycle VHS & Floppy Disks?
Another great option for tricky electronic items is a mail-in service. Green Citizen in Northern California also offers mail-in programs for so many products, including the ever elusive VHS tapes, CDs, and floppy disks – all for $1 per pound. Check out their website to see their complete list of mail in recycling options!
How do I recycle clothing?
I dedicated an entire post to how to recycle old clothes. There are options for clothes in just about any condition.
If you have undergarments, please check out all these options for recycling/donating undergarments!
What does Home Depot Recycle?
Home Depot has a short list of accepted items, but they're items that aren't easily recycled elsewhere! You can read more about Home Depot sustainability here.
- Unbroken CFL (light bulbs)
- Rechargeable Batteries (not single-use batteries)
- Cardboard
- Plastic Flower & Plant Pots (take to Garden Associates)
What does Nordstrom Recycle?
Last year Nordstrom launched a program called BEAUTYCYCLE. They collect empty beauty containers in their stores. I have a small bag where I’m collecting our empty containers – everything from makeup containers and body lotions to skincare tubes and serum bottles, etc.
At the moment, they’re the primary place for where to recycle makeup containers.
It’s always best to reuse containers when you can, but those items that are difficult to refill are best taken to Nordstrom!
What does SPCA accept?
Have any old blankets, towels (down to washclothes), sheets, or unused newspaper? Contact your local SPCA and see if they’re accepting. It’s a great place to donate those very loved household linens that can’t be passed on to humans anymore!
Check out how to store towels & blankets in small homes!
What does Target Recycle?
Most of us probably spend a decent amount of time at Target. All their stores offer some easily accessed recycling bins. I often see the bins located at the front of the store, but one friend mentioned that she asked about hers and it was located near the checkout stands.
- Bottle & Can Recycling (aluminum, glass and plastic beverage containers)
- Plastic Film (plastic bags/bubble wrap) - learn about plastic bag recycling and Store Drop Off
- Small Device Electronics Recycling ( MP3 players, GPS devices, & ink cartridges).
This breakdown of Target recycling is a great place to really get the details! While you’re there be sure to look for the clean beauty brands Target sells!
What does Verizon Recycle?
Verizon offers a trade-in program for smartphones, tablets, and wearable tech. Visit their trade-in page and type in what you’re hoping to recycle.
If possible, they’ll offer you a trade-in value. Otherwise, they’ll accept it for recycling. You can either take it along with all chargers and accessories (in a plastic bag) to a Verizon store to drop it off OR you can request a prepaid mailing label.
Commonly Asked Recycling Questions
Getting rid of medications is a tricky one. You don’t want to just throw it away in the trash or flush it down the toilet or drain.
It’s unsafe to add them to trash as other humans and animals can get it into them. You can learn more about the negatives of that here.
Flushing or washing medications is bad because it goes into the water supply for animals, plants, and you!
It’s fairly easy to get rid of them properly, however, and the FDA is working to make this an easier process.
You can search for local places that offer bins for medication disposal here. I found one at a local grocery store pharmacy and it was so easy to just take and drop off!
This is surprisingly one of the most difficult items to find an option for, including local hazardous waste disposal. The only option that I’ve found that’s legit is Green Citizen’s Mail-In Recycling program.
For practically no charge, you can send the strands in and know they’re in good hands!
Microwaves are often accepted by local Waste Management programs, but you’ll need to check locally for instructions for drop off and to see if there are any costs.
In Sacramento, you can drop them off for free. See here for more details. You can also use the Green Citizen Mail-In program if you have no other options.
Besides being bulky, air conditioners contain refrigerant, a liquid chemical, so it must be disposed of properly. You need to check with your local waste management for proper air conditioner disposal.
In Sacramento, see the Kiefer Landfill fees for what to do with your air conditioner.
Best Buy accepts old outers, modems, etc. See information above for details.
Microwaves are often accepted by local Waste Management programs, but you’ll need to check locally for instructions for drop off and to see if there are any costs.
In Sacramento, you can drop them off for free. See here for more details.
Unless you live in NYC, Nespresso pods cannot be disposed of curbside. Nespresso does offer a free recycling program, however. Learn more about it and get these Nespresso recipes in your arsenal!
Small Home Living Tips
Want some organization tips for small home living? Check out these posts of kitchen appliance organization, how to store reusable bags, seasonal clothing storage, and small home office ideas, including mail and paperwork organization!
You’ll also want to read how we’re making our home more sustainable; my go to clean home cleaning products; a spring cleaning room-by-room checklist that you can practice year round; and how to declutter your mailbox!
Keep an eye on this constantly updated list of sustainable product reviews for every aspect of life!
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This “where to recycle household goods + electronics recycling” post was originally sponsored by Clover Sonoma in April 2021. It has since been updated.
Clover Sonoma is seeking to make the world a better place – through their company practices and through educating us all about living more sustainably! We came up with the idea of creating this single resource about recycling home goods together. I hope it’s as valuable for you as it is for me.
Clover Sonoma is conscious and careful about what goes into their products (and what doesn’t). And they’ve been that way for three generations.
They’re a B-corp dairy and are currently rolling out a plant-based liner for their milk cartons, reducing their carbon footprint from farms to consumers to waste.
The 30 family farms in Northern California with which they work follow rigorous quality and animal humane standards that go above and beyond US and California requirements. They were the first US dairy to be certified American Humane and are leading the industry in sustainability.
Hello Luci,
Thank you for shedding light on the importance of recycling household goods. At Removaroo, we’re dedicated to sustainable rubbish removal in Sydney, and we see firsthand the significance of responsible waste disposal.
Your article provides valuable guidance for individuals looking to make a positive environmental impact. Recycling household goods is a crucial step toward reducing waste and conserving resources. We believe in promoting eco-friendly practices and hope that more people will embrace recycling to create a more sustainable future.
Keep up the great work in sharing knowledge about sustainable living! 🌿🌏
Charlie A
Removaroo Rubbish Removal Sydney
Thankyou for this amazing content!
My pleasure! There is so much to learn, so I want to share as much as I can!