Recycling often requires a little extra legwork. But that doesn’t mean you should hoard old things just because it’s a hassle to dispose of them. What you need is some incentive — preferably a monetary motivation.
Each of the following companies offers a recycling program that turns your donations into store credit, a coupon or — best of all — cold, hard cash. Whether you have empty ink cartridges or bags full of clothes, you can get rewarded for recycling.
1. Advance Auto Parts
Even if you didn’t buy your car battery from Advance Auto Parts, the retailer will take it off your hands. Drop off your unwanted car or truck battery at a participating Advance Auto Parts location, and you will receive a $10 gift card, which is good in stores and online.
2. H&M
If you’ve already filled a bag with clothes to donate, drop them off at your nearest H&M store. H&M stores around the globe participate in the retailer’s textile recycling program, which became available globally back in 2013.
According to H&M’s website, stores will accept clothing of any brand and in any condition in exchange for a free voucher to use on your next purchase.
3. Kiehl’s
Members of the My Kiehl’s Rewards loyalty program who bring empty bottles from the skin care brand to a Kiehl’s store will receive 10 points per bottle. Once you have accumulated 100 points, you can redeem them for a free $10 voucher.
4. Madewell
Madewell has a recycling program in partnership with Blue Jeans Go Green, a program that recycles jeans into housing insulation. Bring in any brand of denim, and receive $20 off full-priced Madewell branded jeans, which is redeemable in stores and online.
5. Office Depot
Don’t throw out those ink cartridges! Take your empty ink and toner cartridges to the nearest Office Depot, and they’ll give you $2 back in rewards per cartridge.
The Office Depot Recycling Program does come with a couple of caveats, though. You have to make a $10 qualifying purchase during that same month to receive the rewards. Also, the retailer does not accept damaged cartridges, and you can only drop off 10 cartridges per month.
6. Patagonia
You can earn money from your gently used clothing Patagonia items through the company’s trade-in program. Items must be in good condition and on the company’s eligibility list, which includes garments, luggage and outerwear.
You can take a quiz online to see if your items are trade-in ready and get an estimate of the credit you’ll receive for them. Patagonia says that it estimates most items have a trade-in value of about 20% of the retail price. For some jackets, that could be up to $200, and some sweaters could get you up to $60.
The outdoor clothing brand won’t accept items like shoes, sleeping bags or underwear, so be sure to check the site to see if your gear is eligible.
7. Staples
Members of Easy Rewards, which is Staples’ loyalty program, can earn points once a month when they recycle eligible items, earning up to 1,000 points. Those points can then be applied to purchases online and in stores.
Eligible items can be found on the Staples website and include items such as ink and toner cartridges, select batteries and paper.
8. The North Face
The North Face Renewed Trade-In program helps ensure clothes don’t end up in landfills. Through the program, you can receive a $10, $30 or $50 credit for each eligible item you mail in or drop off in store.
Items should be in wearable condition and clean to be considered for the credit, which is good in stores and online up to a year after it’s issued.
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