Recycling Resources
Part of Gaia’s mission is to provide resources for our community to make it easier to live more sustainably. Here you’ll find guidelines on how to properly recycle and dispose of various materials in the Chicago South Suburban area. By using these collection sites and drop-off points, you can help preserve natural resources and prevent pollution.
Curbside Recycling Guidelines
Use the Homewood Disposal Service Recycling Guide to check what items are accepted for curbside recycling. Not in Homewood? Google your town + recycling guide to confirm the rules since non-recyclable items can delay recycling centers or damage equipment. Then look up local drop-off resources for items that can be recycled but aren’t accepted curbside.
Recycling electronics
Best Buy collects electronics, appliances and fitness equipment for recycling including cell phones, laptop batteries, keyboards, game controllers, fans and curling irons. Check the website for state-specific info and haul-away recycling services.
Recycling Non-curbside plastics
Meijer collects common single-use plastic and film materials that aren’t accepted with curbside recycling including grocery bags, dry cleaning bags, ice bags, bread bags, bottle case overwrap, newspaper sleeves, food storage bags, packaging air pillows and certain types of film.
Most Jewel locations also take soft plastic bags and we have heard from many sources that they do really recycle. Unfortunately we don’t think the same can be said for Target’s recycling.
Recycling at Gaia’s
I collect styrofoam and take it to community recycling events or recycling centers where it can be properly disposed of.
The new Cook County Center for Hard to Recycle Materials is a drop-off facility designed to divert millions of pounds of waste from regional landfills and water systems. Check the website for the long list of items they accept across household, electronics, textiles, small furniture and appliances, styrofoam and personal healthcare equipment. Can’t make it to the center? I’ll collect items on their list to drop off!
Recycling Clothing & Textiles
The new Cook County Center for Hard to Recycle Materials accepts all clothing so long as it isn’t wet, moldy, or dirty. All shoes are accepted, as well as backpacks, gloves, belts, handbags, purses, computer bags, luggage, tote bags, fashion jewelry and wallets. Also accepted are household textiles, including pillows and shower curtains. Click the link above for all accepted items.
Chicago Textile Recycling accepts most clothing, hats, ties, sheets, towels, backpacks, handbags, belts and stuffed animals. Chicago Textile Recycling diverts over 2.5 million pounds of waste from area landfills annually.
Madewell collects denim from any brand and, with Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green™ program, turns them into housing insulation for communities in need. Madewell has recycled over 1 million jeans since the partnership began, saving 548 tons of waste from landfills.