Recycle & compost at the Shop

RECYCLING:

We are committed to being a resource for sustainability, so we are excited to offer Terracycle boxes for hard-to-recycle items. We currently have 6 boxes/programs running (see below) and they accept ALL brands, even if sponsored by one particular brand. Some of these programs are free, and some are paid. If boxes are sponsored, they are free to us and for you. You bring your items and we will box them up, print off a label and get them shipped out. 

FREE PROGRAMS:

PEN, MARKER & INK CARTRIDGE RECYCLING: While previously we had a stationary program sponsored by Bic, they closed this program in May 2023. We now collect only empty pens, markers and ink cartridges to recycle at Staples. (Staples accepts a number of other items for FREE recycling if you take your items directly to one of their stores, please check out their website for more info.)

PERSONAL CARE/TOILETRY RECYCLING: (sponsored by Toms's of Maine and hello) Accepts mouthwash bottles and caps, toothbrushes, deodorant containers and caps, soap packaging, floss containers, and toothpaste tubes and caps. 

RAZOR RECYCLING: (sponsored by Gilette) Accepts all brands of blades and razors (systems and disposable units, and replaceable-blade cartridge units), rigid plastic packaging, and flexible plastic bag packaging. This is in a sharps container for safety. 

Stasher Bags: If you have old stasher bags that have gotten damaged/cut, they are still great for dry storage! But if you have bags that are beyond repurposing, bring them in and we will send them to Terracycle to recycle.

 

PAID PROGRAMS: We purchase some paid Terracycle boxes, and to offset the cost of these, customers can purchase a small cloth bag for $10, fill it up with any of the paid recycling items and then deposit these in the boxes. You can repurchase the bag to collect your recycling again, or leave it with us to wash and reuse.

CANDY & SNACK WRAPPER RECYCLING (paid): Accepts candy wrappers, cookie wrappers, family size snack bags, multi-pack snack bags, snack bags. Wrappers must be cleaned from food waste. Not accepted: paper-based wrappers, sticks, blister packs, or cardboard master cartons.

BEAUTY PRODUCTs & PACKAGING RECYCLING (paid): Accepts 

  • Conditioner bottles and caps
  • Eye liner pencils (non-wooden) and cases
  • Eye shadow tubes
  • Face soap dispensers and tubes
  • Hair gel tubes and caps
  • Hair paste plastic jars and caps
  • Lip balm tubes
  • Lip gloss tubes
  • Lotion bottles, tubes, dispensers, and jars
  • Mascara tubes
  • Plastic concealer tubes and sticks
  • Shampoo bottles and caps
  • Shaving foam tubes (no cans)
  • Spray bottles and triggers 

Do not send in aerosol or pressurized cans, electronic items such as blow dryers and straighteners, perfume bottles, nail polish bottles or removers, wooden eyeliner pencils, any bio-medical, bio-hazardous waste, or partially full and full packaging (tubes, jars and containers) such as nail-polish, lotion, soap or ointments.

Disposable Mask Program: Back by popular demand, this one is community-funded, so if you use it, please contribute. Disposable masks only, please.

 

EVENT-ONLY PROGRAMS These programs run occasionally with special events:

Athletic Shoe Recycling

Children's Clothing Recycling

 

COMPOST DROP OFF:

Composting food waste is a simple way to drastically reduce your carbon footprint! (1 lb of food in a landfill = 1 lb of methane!) We offer a large compost bin behind the shop, emptied weekly, so that customers can drop off their food waste for free! All food waste is accepted, so unlike backyard composting you don't have to sort out cheese, bones, etc. as well as compostable food and beverage containers, utensils, etc. If something is certified BPI compostable, then it can go in this bin! We ask that all food waste is bagged, either in a BPI compostable bag, or in a thick paper bag to keep the ick factor down. Stop in anytime and staff will be happy to show you the bin. *If you are a Ferndale resident, you have access to free community drop off composting, with much larger capacity than ours, so please drop your compost off at one of the 5 locations. Find more info here.