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.
2. By Rosie Jane
For every three full-size empty bottles you mail back to By Rosie Jane, the fragrance company will send you a free mini rollerball fragrance in the scent of your choice.
3. 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.
According to H&M’s website, stores will accept clothing of any brand and in any condition in exchange for a free coupon to use on your next purchase.
4. Kiehl’s
Bring your empty bottles from this skin care brand to a Kiehl’s store, and you will receive 10 points per bottle. Once you have accumulated 100 points, you can redeem them for a free $10 voucher.
5. MAC Cosmetics
Through the Back 2 MAC program, you will get a free standard lipstick of your choice for every six empty MAC makeup containers you turn in. You can drop them off at a participating MAC location or mail them in.
Members of the MAC Lover loyalty program get more choices for freebies: a standard lipstick, lip gloss or small eyeshadow per six empty MAC containers.
6. 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.
7. 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, and the retailer does not accept damaged cartridges.
8. Staples
Members of Staples Rewards, which is Staples’ loyalty program, get $2 back in Staples Rewards for each eligible ink and toner cartridge they recycle in stores or online, provided they have spent at least $50 on ink or toner at Staples over the previous 180 days.
9. The North Face
The Clothes the Loop program from The North Face helps ensure clothes don’t end up in landfills. When you drop off your used clothes or footwear at a store, you’ll receive $10 off your next purchase of $100 or more at The North Face. Donations are accepted from any brand and in any condition.
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