Often, when people learn that I strive to live a near zero waste lifestyle, they assume we recycle a lot. In truth, when we started moving toward zero waste we actually decreased our recycling by about a third on average. 

I’m not a big fan of recycling for a myriad of reasons I can go into another time, so I try to avoid having to recycle whenever possible. So, when I was asked to try out a new recycling program called The Recollective, I was skeptical. Before agreeing to try it, I met with the founders to make sure it was legit, and that the business aligned with my goals and purpose. 

I came away from that meeting understanding that the founders of The Recollective, like me, know that recycling is not going to save us, and that building a circular economy that focuses on reuse is the direction to move if we are going to solve our waste crisis. But, while we work to build a circular and reusable future, we need options. There are so many materials that are very difficult to “Refuse” using or acquiring because of the modern society that has been created for us. These are items that our family, being privileged enough to even attempt living a near Zero Waste lifestyle, struggles to avoid. These items are nearly never collected in municipal curbside collection programs.

For the past 7 years, I have had a pretty simple system of collecting these items in bins in my garage which I essentially hoard until I have enough of them (and enough motivation), to make sometimes long trips to the various places I have found to take my “hard to recycle items” just to be left with a sneaking feeling that, despite my efforts, those things still might end up in landfill. That’s not to mention the space they take up in my garage.

Well, that hoarding is over! The stacks of bins in my garage are gone and my trips all over Wake County and even as far as Randalman, NC (a side trip while on my way to SC) are a thing of the past.  My new, much easier  system for handling hard to recycle items is The Recollective! 

So, how does it work?

After signing up, you receive stylish reusable canvas drawstring bags to collect your recyclables. On your pickup day, put your bags out on your porch to be collected! You can sign up for a text or email reminder so you don’t forget!  Want to get started today? Head to one of their partners near you to pick up a bag kit.

How are they able to recycle things that I can’t?

The folks at ReCo have good and often long-standing relationships and partnerships with vetted area recyclers, upcyclers and reusers to make sure your hard-to-recycle items get where they need to. ReCo’s ability to deliver these items in bulk, clean and already sorted is what makes the partnership attractive to the recyclers.  Some of the items they accept you can recycle on your own (and ReCo tells you how and where right on their website!), but many people (myself included) opt for the ease and clutter-free convenience of a pickup service. I also love supporting mindful businesses which align with my values.

What do they accept?

Block styrofoam, plastic film, textiles, batteries, light bulbs, the “ReCo Pick” which changes monthly but has included things like small electronics, kitchenware, wine corks, art & office supplies, bottle caps, eyeglasses, yard signs, car seats and toys. All of these are included in the service but there are also “add-ons” like water filters or fluorescent bulbs for an additional fee. You can order Filaree bulk soap to be delivered through them (and they will take back the packaging for reuse). In some areas, there is even compost pickup!

How do I know my stuff is being recycled?

I’m convinced ReCo cares about waste as much as we do. They see it as their passion and responsibility to ensure these items do not end up in landfills. Transparency is clearly (pun intended) part of their mission as they list for each item they collect where it goes (and whether or not you can get it recycled yourself!). 

OK, let’s pause to talk plastic bags. I was not at all surprised to see an investigation this year which exposed the journey of plastic bags once they were dropped off at several well known chain grocery and big box stores. Apple AirTags were added to bundles of plastic bags, and their destinations were shocking!  I was so concerned that I called the founders of ReCollective to be sure my bags were not ending up in landfills or incinerators in 3rd world countries.  Reco takes the bags directly to a local recycling facility which sorts and bales them then sells them to Trex for building decks. In the event that Trex is backed up in production and can’t buy the bales, Orange Recycling has a couple of other trusted outlets they will use.

What if I don’t have enough to fill a bag?

You can put the canvas bags out if they aren’t full. In fact, all the canvas bags get switched out each month so put them out even if empty. The styrofoam is collected in a plastic bag that gets recycled so they ask you to make sure that one is full before putting out. If you are such a good zero waster that you consistently can’t fill your bags, no worries, they encourage sharing!* Since I rarely have block styrofoam (but when I do I have a lot like when we bought a new dishwasher) I have offered my neighbors the option to give me any block styrofoam they have. The styrofoam bag is a great solution for folks who get meds or food delivered in styrofoam coolers!

I have been using The ReCollective for over 6 months now and am thrilled with the service!  I feel good knowing that the items I’ve taken the effort to keep out of the garbage will be properly recycled or reused, and that I don’t have to run all over town to make it happen. I know that not everyone is in a position to pay for the proper recycling or reuse of items that often unseen cost for our environment. But I hope those who can, will join me in helping The ReCollective do their part in building a circular economy in the triangle, and that one day soon circular businesses will not be the exception, but the norm. 

To that end, if you would like to try out The ReCollective at no cost or obligation, use the code TZW and your subscription payment won’t start until the second month of service! That’s one month free!

Interested in having this service at your office? Check out the Employee Drop-Off Program.

*With the exception of the battery/lightbulb collection.