Here at Round the Bend Farm we understand that recycling is a broken system. We try to focus on the seven R’s – Refuse, Reduce, Re-use, Repair, Re-gift, Recover, and Recycle! Recycling is almost always a last resort for us. When it comes to purchasing, we strive to be thoughtful and mindful before making a purchase… What will the life of that item be and what will we do with it when we can no longer use it (can we upcycle the item or pass it on to someone else, etc)? Can we pick up the item locally, rather than having it shipped to us? If we do have it shipped, can we reuse the packaging it comes in? Also, to take a step backward, we try to see if we can source an item we are in need of from someone looking to rehome it, by reusing someone else’s unwanted stuff. Can we find it gently used rather than buying it new? Some of the places we check include Facebook Marketplace, craigslist, and NE Agricultural Exchange to name a few. Being a conscious consumer is the best way to limit your need to recycle in the first place!
As a living laboratory, we are always thinking about (and trying) new ways to be more sustainable in our efforts as a team and an organization. Here are some of our current practices:
- Limit package waste by buying in bulk
- Make our own laundry detergent in reusable 5-gallon buckets (with minimal ingredients that we buy in bulk)
- Purchase items in glass jars that we reuse
- Collect Ball/mason jars (with or without lids)
- Collect take-out containers that still have life left in them to reuse
- Collect mismatched napkins & silverware for daily use and for use at all of our events on the farm
The little things really can add up to make a big difference!
When you cannot find another way, and you absolutely need to recycle something, here is a list to go to for recycling all sorts of things:
Electronics
APPLE ELECTRONICS
Apple Stores – free, in store drop off
Return any used apple electronics to any apple store
BATTERIES
Interstate Batteries – free, in store drop off
Any type of battery can be recycled at Interstate Batteries Stores
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Holiday LEDs Recycling * $
Fill out online form for 15% off coupon when you send in your Christmas lights
CFL LIGHT BULBS
Lowes, Home Depot and Ace Hardware– free, in store drop off
Most major hardware stores will recycle used and broken light bulbs
ELECTRONICS & CORDS
Best Buy– free, in store drop off
Credit for working devices (click for list)
Accepts products in any condition for recycling (click for list)
TAPES: VHS & CASSETTE TAPES, UNDEVELOPED FILM, COMPUTER WASTE
Green Disk You pay shipping
Under 25 lbs – $12 fee – you ship
Buy a Collection box -$50
https://www.greendisk.com/gdsite/technotrash.aspx
Check your local town or city for a town-wide electronic recycling program, most are free.
Household & Personal Care Supplies
ARM & HAMMER / OXICLEAN Pouch Recycling Program
TerraCycle –Free shipping
Baking Soda pouches, ARM & HAMMERTM Power Paks Laundry Detergent pouches, OXICLEANTM Laundry Detergent Packs pouches, OXICLEANTM 2in1 Stain Fighter Power Paks pouches, and OXICLEANTM White Revive Laundry Stain Remover Power Paks pouches.
BUBBLE WRAP & AIR PILLOWS
UPS Stores- free, in store drop off
Do not pop, these will be reused
CONTACT LENSES
Check your local eye doctor, many are a drop off location for TerraCycle recycling
BURT’S BEES Recycle on Us
TerraCycle -Free shipping
All Burt’s Bees products and packaging can be recycled for free through TerraCycles mail in service
ORAL CARE PRODUCTS
TerraCycle -Free shipping
ANY BRAND of toothpaste tubes and caps, toothbrushes, toothpaste cartons and toothbrush outer packaging, floss containers
PRESCRIPTION BOTTLES
Rite-Aid free, in store drop off
Remove label and bring to any Rite-Aid location
RAZORS
Gillette® Razor Local Recycling Solutions
TerraCycle -You pay shipping
ANY BRAND of razors & blades (systems and disposable units, and replaceable-blade cartridge units), rigid plastic packaging, and flexible plastic bag packaging
DEODORANT CONTAINERS
Tom’s Of Maine
TerraCycle -Free shipping
Tom’s of Maine BRAND ONLY Deodorant containers and caps, soap packaging, mouthwash bottles & caps, toothpaste tubes & caps, floss containers, toothbrushes
SIX PACK RINGS
Hi-Cone -Free shipping
Ring Leader Recycling Program
PLASTIC FILM: CASE WRAP, PLASTIC SHOPPING, PRODUCE, BREAD, NEWSPAPER & DRYCLEANING BAGS
Most major grocery stores offer free drop off bins for recycling
SOLO CUPS
TerraCycle -Free shipping
Print free shipping label online
ONLY #6 rigid plastic cups
Not recyclable through curbside/ municipal recycling
CORKS
ReCork -Free shipping
Find a drop off location around you HERE
FOOD PACKAGING
BABY FOOD POUCHES
TerraCycle – Free shipping
GoGo squeeZ® Recycling Program
ANY BRAND of Healthy snack plastic pouches and caps
COFFEE BAG & PODS
TerraCycle – Free shipping through TerraCycle
Recycle Don Francisco’s® Coffee bags and pods, Café La Llave® Espresso coffee pods, and José’s® Gourmet Coffee & Dunkin’s coffee bags through this program
CLOTHING & Accessories
H&M Garment Collecting -Free, in store drop off plus discounts
Drop your bag of unwanted clothing in the recycling box at your local store. All textiles are welcome – any brand, any condition. The textiles are then sent to the nearest recycling plant, where they’re sorted by hand. For every bag of textiles you drop off, you’ll receive a discount card for 15% off your next in-store purchase.
Bay State Textiles Free, drop off
includes broken, ripped up old textiles, rags, and other clothing items
https://www.baystatetextiles.com/what-we-do-dont-accept/
Bins located at schools in Dartmouth: Potter Elementary School, Dartmouth Middle School, Quinn Elementary School, Dartmouth High School
Donate all good useable clothes to any thrift store
SHOES
Designer Shoe Warehouse -Free, in store drop off
Wareham Crossing Shopping Center
Soles4Souls –Free, in store drop off
Accept all styles and sizes of new or gently-worn shoes. Click here to find a drop off location near you.
Nike –Free, in store drop off
Our Reuse-A-Shoe program recycles athletic shoes at the end of their life, giving them a new life through Nike Grind. We make it easy for materials to live on from one product to the next—just drop your used shoes at a participating Nike retail store. https://www.nike.com/help/a/recycle-shoes
MISCELLANEOUS
CHEWING GUM
Used Chewing Gum Zero Waste Box
TerraCycle You pay shipping
Buy zero waste recycling pouch for collection and shipping -Small zero pouch =$45
TENNIS BALLS
ReBounces Tennis Ball Recycling Program – You pay shipping
Fill out online form for shipping information
CRAYONS
The National Crayon Recycle Program -You pay shipping
Just collect (any amount), box, and ship them as they are – wrapped, broken or barely used – we recycle them all.
PACKING THE BOX: Please use sturdy boxes that closely fit the amount of the contents to avoid the box being crushed or broken.
CIGARETTE BUTTS
Cigarette Waste Recycling Program -free shipping
Print free shipping label online-cigarettes, cigarette filters, loose tobacco pouches, outer
plastic packaging, inner foil packaging, rolling paper, and ash -NO paper packaging. Place in
a plastic bag or container, then box and ship – Waste must be dry.
