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 

Free mail in 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.