We generate a tremendous quantity of trash as consumers, to the point where our landfills are nearly overflowing with the remnants of the goods we’ve used and discarded. Most households have a recycling container in addition to a trash can, but customers may not be aware that many local businesses also have special recycling programs for products that shouldn’t go in the recycling bin.
These major retailers have robust recycling programs that allow them to refurbish and reuse your old clothes, phones, rechargeable batteries, or furniture. When they can’t resell an item, these stores work with recycling firms that can use the materials to make something else.
You might be surprised to learn that many of these stores offer additional incentives in the form of coupons, gift cards, and trade-in deals in addition to the environmental benefits. Take a look ahead to find out more information about some of the best stores that will buy your old goods.
Best Buy
Since 2009, the major electronics and appliance retailer has recycled, reused, or repurposed almost 2 billion pounds of electronic waste and products. If you have any working devices you no longer need, you may recycle them at any of Best Buy’s over 1,000 stores and receive store credit in exchange.
When you buy a new TV, fitness equipment, or appliance, Best Buy will take away your old one for a small fee. Best Buy collaborates with Electronic Recyclers International, which disassembles electronics into materials that can be reused in everything from fiber optic cables to airplanes.
Staples
You can get paid by Staples to recycle your old office supplies and devices. Staples has more than a thousand stores, and if you bring in a used ink or toner cartridge to be recycled, you will receive $2 in store credit.
The office supply behemoth also offers cash in exchange for your used smartphones, tablets, and computers. They would also accept unwanted electronics and used rechargeable batteries for free.
Advance Auto Parts
Battery packs for vehicles and trucks are essential, but they also happen to be one of the most environmentally damaging goods due to the inclusion of toxic metals including mercury, cadmium, lithium, and lead. Due to this awareness, Advance Auto Parts provides a generous incentive for customers to recycle their dead batteries.
You can obtain a $10 gift card to go toward the purchase of a new battery or anything else at any Advance store simply by bringing in your old one. When new batteries need to be made, the old ones can be recycled.
Apple
Apple’s consumer devices may be more expensive than the market average, but you’ll get your money’s worth out of them. Apple makes it simple to get money for used Apple products by accepting them in exchange for gift cards or store credit (Apple will also recycle other brands of electronics for free).
If the gadget is still in working order, it will be reconditioned and offered for sale. When an Apple product is no longer usable, it is sent to one of Apple’s recycling partners to be disassembled and recycled. Daisy, Apple’s disassembly robot, is tasked with salvaging useable components from discarded iPhones.
Habitat ReStores
Habitat ReStores are one of the best options for recycling still-usable household goods and construction supplies. Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores has approximately 875 locations nationally, all of which will take appliances, furniture, miscellaneous household items, and even building supplies.
Habitat then resells these products in its store and utilizes the earnings to build affordable houses for families. Habitat might not give you a gift card for your stuff, but since it is a non-profit organization, you can get a tax deduction for what you give.
Amazon
Did you ever ponder the origins of Amazon’s used goods? You may sell your used Bluetooth speakers and headphones, home security systems, wireless routers, and video game consoles to the online retail giant. You can even get rewarded with store credit if you donate your gently used devices for the company to repair and resale.
Products that have stopped working properly are also accepted by Amazon. The recycling service is free of charge, and the business will even pay for the UPS shipping of your unwanted electronics.
H&M
As part of the company’s recycling initiative, clothing shop H&M accepts all linens, including bedding, mismatched socks, and old T-shirts. In 2019, H&M recycled almost 29,000 tons of textiles. Some of the items were cleaned and sold as secondhand clothing, while others were utilized to make things like rags or insulation.
With every load of old linens you bring to the company’s location, you’ll receive a discount card good for 15 percent off your next purchase.
Walmart
Walmart has a trade-in program that allows customers to sell or get store credit for electronics such old phones, Bluetooth speakers, laptops, game consoles, and tablets. Better yet, you can accomplish it all without leaving your house.
Enter the device’s details on Walmart’s website to get an offer, send it for free with FedEx using a preprinted label, and receive a Walmart gift card in exchange.
Home Depot
Home Depot, a leader in the home improvement industry, has one of the most comprehensive recycling programs in the country. Customers can bring in their used lithium-ion batteries, and the company will recycle them with the help of the non-profit recycling organization Call2Recycle.
In addition to collecting plastic bags, Home Depot donates them to Trex, a composite decking producer. CFL light bulbs and cardboard boxes can be recycled at Home Depot, too.
