Seal of the City of St. Louis
City of St. Louis
Department of Streets
Refuse Division
Recycling Program
St. Louis Recycles

Miscellaneous Reuse and Recycling
What You Can Do

As with any materials, the first effort should be to avoid generating that type of waste in the first place (aka waste reduction). The second most important method of dealing with waste is to reuse materials, although this will still involve some energy use and resource consumption. Thirdly, efforts should be made to recycle our wastes (although this consumes even more energy and resources than reuse). If unable to reduce waste, below are suggestions for reusing and recycling some items that are not typically included in mainstream or traditional recycling programs:

For a variety of items in decent and working condition, including many that are categorized below, please remember charities:

  • Charities That Pick Up Donations
    Web: http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/recycle/PickupCharities.html
  • Donate items by dropping off at your local consignment shop, secondhand store, or thrift shop.

    ATHLETIC SHOES (ANY BRAND)

  • Nike Reuse-A-Shoe
    Web: http://www.nikereuseashoe.com
    Drop off shoes at the Nike Factory Store located in the St. Louis Mills Mall at 5555 St. Louis Mills Boulevard, Hazelwood, Missouri 63042

    BABY GEAR

  • BabyEarth RENEW Recycling Program
    Web: http://www.babyearth.com/renew
    Address: 21 Cypress Boulevard, Suite 1120, Round Rock, Texas 78665
    Materials Accepted: Car seats, diaper bags, high chairs, jumpers, strollers, and swings.

    BACKPACKS

  • American Birding Association Birders' Association
    Web: http://www.americanbirding.org/bex/items.html

    BEVERAGE PACKAGING, FOOD WRAPPERS

  • TerraCycle
    Web: http://www.terracycle.net/cork/cork.htm
    Materials Accepted: Bear Naked bags, Capri Sun and Honest Kids drink pouches, energy bar wrappers, Frito Lay chip bags, Kashi packaging, Nabisco cookie wrappers, and Ritz and Wheat Thins Toasted Chips bags. These items are reused to make fashion bags, notebooks, pencil cases, shower curtains, and tote bags.
  • Think Green From Home (a service of Waste Management, Inc. and Tropicana)
    Web: https://www.thinkgreenfromhome.com/BottlesCansAndPaper.cfm
    Materials Accepted: juice cartons, milk cartons

    BOTTLE CAPS

  • Aveda
    Web: http://aveda.aveda.com/aboutaveda/caps.asp
  • RePlayGround
    Web: http://www.replayground.com/pages/junk/junkhome.asp

    CARS

  • Check below under "Vehicles."

    CLOTHING HANGERS

  • Ask your local dry cleaner if they'll take them back (particularly metal hangers).

    CORKS (E.G., FROM WINE BOTTLES)

  • RePlayGround
    Web: http://www.replayground.com/pages/junk/junkhome.asp
  • ReCORK America
    Web: http://www.recorkamerica.com
  • TerraCycle
    Web: http://www.terracycle.net/cork/cork.htm
  • missouriYemm & Hart Ltd.
    Web: http://www.yemmhart.com/news+/winecorkrecycling.htm

    CRAYONS

  • Crayon Recycle Program
    Web: http://www.crazycrayons.com

    EYEGLASSES

  • Lions Club International
    Web: http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/vision_eyeglass_recycling.shtml
  • New Eyes for the Needy
    Web: http://www.neweyesfortheneedy.org

    FABRIC RIBBONS (FROM PRINTERS)

  • Ribbon Recyclers, Inc.
    Web: http://www.recycleus.com/Ribbon%20Recyclers.htm

    FILM PROCESSING (35MM) WASTE - CANISTERS, CARTRIDGES, LIDS, SPOOLS

  • Plastic Innovations, Inc.
    Web: http://www.plastic-innovations.com/pifilmcontainer.html

    FILTERS - WATER

  • BRITA International
    Web: http://www.brita.com/pr/recycling.pdf

    FLAGS

  • Marine Corps League South St. Louis Detachment
    Address: 6646 Gravois Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63116
    Phone: 314.352.8762

    FLOWER VASES / BASKETS

  • missouriFlowers of Clayton
    Web: http://www.flowersofclayton.com
    Phone: 314.726.2424
    Address: 8125A Maryland Avenue, Clayton, Missouri 63105
    Materials Accepted: Trade in 3 vases or baskets in good condition and receive a fresh floral bouquet.

    FURNITURE - OFFICE

  • Check below under "Office Furniture."

    GARDEN PLASTICS - CELL PACKS, HANGING BASKETS, POTS, TRAYS

  • Recycle ArchMissouri Botanical Garden's Plastic Plant Pot Recycling Program
    Web: http://www.mobot.org/hort/activ/plasticpots.shtml
    Phone: 314.577.9561
    "...any day of the week starting in May through October 2009."

    GLASS - PLATE AND CONTAINER

  • Recycle ArchStrategic Materials
    Web: http://www.strategicmaterials.com
    Phone: 314.621.6928
    Address: 24 Branch Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63147

    HAIR, FUR

  • Mulch or compost it.
  • Matter of Trust - Hair for Oil Spills Program
    Web: http://www.matteroftrust.org/programs/hairmatsinfo.html

    HOSIERY

  • Check below under "Nylon (i.e., pantyhose, stockings)."

    HYGIENE - RAZORS, TONGUE CLEANERS, TOOTHBRUSHES

  • Recycline
    Web: http://www.recycline.com/environment

    KEYS

  • Recycle ArchClements Lock and Key Company
    Phone: 314.865.2242
    Address: 3009 Arsenal Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63118
  • Recycle ArchCity of St. Louis - Refuse Division - Recycling Program
    Web: http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/recycle
    Phone: 314.353.7176
    Address: 4100 South First Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63118

    LIGHT STRANDS

  • HolidayLEDs.com
    Web: http://www.HolidayLEDs.com/holidayleds.com_christmas_light_recycling_program
    Address: 120 West Michigan Avenue, Suite 1403, Jackson, Michigan 49201

    MAILERS, PACKAGING MATERIALS, SHIPPING ENVELOPES

  • DuPont
    Web: http://www2.dupont.com/Tyvek_Envelopes/en_US/tech_info/tech_environ.html
    Materials Accepted: Tyvek® envelopes.
  • Sealed Air Corporation
    Web: http://www.sealedair.com/enviro/recycle.html
    Materials Accepted: Bubble Wrap® air cellular cushioning, Fill-Air® inflatable packaging, Instapak® foam-in-place packaging, Sealed Air® polyethylene foams.

    MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

  • American Medical Resource Foundation, Inc.
    Web: http://www.amrf.com/donate.html
  • Amicus Foundation
    Web: http://www.amicusfoundation.org/amicus-2/giving-donate-bhutan-thailand/medical.html
  • Bridge Ministries
    Web: http://www.bridgemin.org/medicalequipment/medicalequipment01.html
  • Child Family Health International
    Web: http://www.cfhi.org/recover.php4
  • Direct Relief International
    Web: http://www.directrelief.org/sections/support_us/product_donations.html
  • Durable Medical Equipment Exchange
    Web: http://www.infinitecdme.org
  • Global Links
    Web: http://www.globallinks.org/how_to_help/donations
  • GlobeMed
    Web: http://www.globemed.org/sup_inkinddonations.html
  • Globus Relief
    Web: http://www.globusrelief.org/p_inkinddonations.asp
  • International Medical Equipment Collaborative
    Web: http://www.imecamerica.org/waystohelp.cfm?sctn=se
  • InterVol - Recovery of Unused Medical Supplies (RUMS)
    Web: http://www.intervol.org/rums/index.html
  • Jewish Family and Children's Service of Southern Arizona, Inc.
    Web: http://jfcstucson.org/tucson_loan_chest.htm#Donate_Equipment
  • Med-Eq
    Web: http://www.med-eq.org/Content/How_to_Donate.asp
  • Medical Bridges
    Web: http://www.medicalbridges.org/MB_donate_MedSupplies.htm
  • MediSend
    web: http://www.medisend.org/donate-supplies.html
  • Partners In Health
    Web: http://www.pih.org/youcando/medsupplies.html
  • Project C.U.R.E.
    Web: http://www.projectcure.org/procure/procuredonate.aspx
  • missouriSt. Louis HELP
    Web: http://www.stlhelp.org
    E-Mail: Laura@stlhelp.org
    Phone: 314.567.4700
    Address: Warehouse, 9709 Dielman Rock Island Industrial Drive, Olivette, Missouri 63132-2152
    Address: Office, 1640 Andrew Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63122-1706

    MISCELLANEOUS [You name it, they'll probably accept it, although it would be helpful if you would please call or e-mail first, to be sure they have storage space. Check out their websites for "wish lists" of what they need and want. The items they accept are typically reused in a wide variety of creations, from the practical to the artistic.]

  • missouriLeftovers, etc.
    Web: http://www.leftoversetc.com
    E-Mail: leftoversetc@sbcglobal.net
    Phone: 636.946.9779
    Address: 1759a Scherer Parkway, St. Charles, Missouri 63303
  • missouriSt. Louis Teachers' Recycle Center, Inc.
    Web: http://stlouisteachersrecycle.homestead.com/index.html
    E-Mail: sltrc@sbcglobal.net
    Fax/Phone: 636.227.7095
    Location: Crestwood ArtSpace, 108 Crestwood Mall, Crestwood, Missouri 63126
    Location: University of Missouri - St. Louis, South Campus - Directly Below Barnes Library, 8001 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63121
  • missouriThe Upcycle Exchange
    Web: http://lucoop.com/pilot
    E-Mail: upxchange@gmail.com

    MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

  • missouriPlay It Forward
    Web: http://www.playitforwardstl.org/mission.htm
    E-Mail: Samantha@stlsoundscene.com or Becca@stlsoundscene.com

    NYLON (I.E., PANTYHOSE, STOCKINGS)

  • Matter of Trust - Hair for Oil Spills Program
    Web: http://www.matteroftrust.org/programs/hairmatsinfo.html
  • Tightsplease
    Web: http://www.tightsplease.com/charity.php

    OFFICE FURNITURE

  • missouri iconFurniture To Food
    Web: http://www.ofsearch.org/includes/downloads/nituretofoodwebsiteupdated.pdf
    Phone 314.726.5355x22

    PACKING PEANUTS

  • Check with local shipping services, company mailrooms, or call the Peanut Hotline at 1.800.828.2214 for an automated list of local businesses that will reuse clean, dry, loose fill packaging materials.

    PLASTIC CARDS - CREDIT, GIFT, METRO TRANSPORTATION

  • RePlayGround
    Web: http://www.replayground.com/pages/junk/junkhome.asp

    PLASTIC #6 / POLYSTYRENE / PS (COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH "STYROFOAM")
    Note: For clarification, read http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2003/02/06/umbra-styrofoam.

  • missouriLeftovers, etc.
    Web: http://www.leftoversetc.com
    E-Mail: leftoversetc1@aol.com
    Phone: 636.946.9779
    1759 Scherer Parkway, St. Charles, Missouri 63303
    Materials accepted: Depending on current need and storage capability, might be interested in block foam. Call first.
  • missouriSt. Louis Teachers' Recycle Center, Inc.
    Web: http://www.stlouisteachersrecycle.homestead.com/index.html
    E-Mail: sltrc@sbcglobal.net
    Fax/Phone: 636.227.7095
    1305 Havenhurst, Manchester, Missouri 63011
    Materials accepted: Depending on current need and storage capability, might be interested in block foam. Call first.

    SPORTS EQUIPMENT

  • Berkley Conservation Institute - Recycling
    Web: http://www.berkley-fishing.com/about_conservation.php#brp
    Materials Accepted: Fishing line/nylon monofilament line, spools.
  • CRAGear
    Web: http://www.cragear.com
    Materials accepted: Climbing ropes.
  • Rebounces
    Web: http://www.rebounces.com
    Materials accepted: Tennis balls.
  • Sea Bags
    Web: http://seabags.com
    Materials Accepted: Wind sails.

    TELEPHONE BOOKS

  • Recycle ArchCity of St. Louis Dropoff Locations
    Web: http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/recycle/locations.htm
  • Opt-Out General
    Web: http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org
  • Opt-Out AT&T Real Pages
    Phone: 1.800.922.0008 (option #3)
  • Opt-Out Dex or Embarq
    Phone: 1.877.243.8339
  • Opt-Out Idearc Verizon Yellow Pages Or Yellow Book
    Phone: 1.800.888.8448 (option #2)

    TRANSPARENCIES

  • 3M Transparency Film Recycling Program
    Web: http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Meetings/Home/Solutions/Product_Catalog/Transparency_Film/RecProg

    VEHICLES (E.G., CARS, TRUCKS, BOATS, RVs/RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, ETC.)
    Whether your vehicle still functions or has reached the end of its useful life, you can donate it to be reused or recycled. If reused, the charity may share the vehicle with those in need or receive the amount of the resale value. If recycled, the charity typically receives the amount of the scrap value (e.g., metals, plastics). These charities typically pick up your vehicle, at no cost to you. You can receive a tax deduction for your charitable donation.

  • Action Donation Services (your choice of charity)
    Web: http://www.actiondonation.org
    E-Mail: info@actiondonation.org
    Phone: 866.244.8464
    Address: Post Office Box 86551, San Diego, California 92138
  • American Council of the Blind
    Web: http://www.charitycardonation.org
    Phone: 800.594.3394
  • American Diabetes Association
    Web: http://www.cardonations.com
    E-Mail: info@carprogram.com
    Phone: 800.ADA.6570
  • missouriAmerica's Car Donation Center (in Missouri, benefits American Diabetes Association, Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America-Gateway Chapter, Easter Seals of Missouri, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, National Lutheran Blind Mission Society, National Autism Association, Ranken Technical College)
    Web: http://www.donateacar.com
    Phone: 800.237.5714
  • Car Angel New Millennium Scholarship Fund
    Web: http://www.carangel.org
    Phone: 480.834.4191
    Address: 1745 North Ashbrook Circle, Mesa Arizona 85213-3414
  • Cars 4 Causes (various charities nationally and locally)
    Web: http://www.cars4causes.net
    E-Mail: info@cars4causes.net
    Fax: 805.477.7637
    Phone: 800.766.2273
    Address: 4864 Market Street #D, Ventura, California 93003-5786
  • missouriDonate Car USA (in St. Louis, benefits National Children's Cancer Society, Inc.)
    Web: http://www.donatecarusa.com
    Phone: 800.269.6814
  • missouriDonation Line, LLC (you choose the charity)
    Web: http://www.donationline.com/donate-car-missouri-charity.htm
    E-Mail: donate@donationline.com
    Fax: 860.228.9037
    Phone: 877.227.7487
  • Family Care Foundation
    Web: http://www.donate-car-for-charity.com
    E-Mail: info@donate-car-for-charity.com
    Fax: 619.468.6996
    Phone: 888.831.1336
    Mailing Address: Post Office Box 1039, Spring Valley, California 91979
  • Goodwill Industries International, Inc.
    Web: http://www.goodwill.org/page/guest/about/howweoperate/donations/aboutdonatingvehicles
  • Habitat for Humanity
    Web: http://www.habitat.org/carsforhomes
    Phone: 877.277.4344
  • Joy For Our Youth / Kars-4-Kids
    Web: http://www.kars4kids.org
    Fax: 732.415.7480
    Phone: 877.527.7454
    Address: 1805 Swarthmore Avenue, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701
  • National Kidney Foundation
    Web: http://www.kidney.org/support/kidneycars/index.cfm
    Phone: 800.488.CARS
  • The Salvation Army
    Web: http://www.thesalvationarmycardonationprogram.org
    E-Mail: info@thesalvationarmycardonationprogram.org

    WATER FILTERS

  • Check above under "Filters - Water."

    YARD SIGNS (E.G., CAMPAIGNS, MEETINGS, ETC.)

  • For paper or cardboard versions, simply remove any posts (e.g., wood, wire) and recycle with your other paper or cardboard.

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    This Page Last Modified: 10/19/09