What can go in an Almost Anything Bag?

Plastic film, textiles, styrofoam, crinkly packaging and more. Use this guide to check what can go in your bag before you pack it.

An Almost Anything Bag surrounded by textiles, corks, plastic packaging and other household materials

Use this guide to check what can go in your Almost Anything Bag. Please include only the materials listed below and keep the packed bag at 10 pounds or less.

Jump to a material

Plastic Film

Plastic film stretches when pulled and includes grocery bags, bread bags, plastic mailers, bubble wrap, and similar flexible film.

Accepted

  • Grocery bags
  • Amazon and other plastic film mailers
  • Bubble wrap
  • Product and case wrap
  • Ziploc and sandwich bags without food residue
  • Flattened air pillows
  • Bread bags
  • Dry cleaning bags
  • Produce bags
  • Film labeled #2 HDPE or #4 LDPE

Not accepted

  • Paper mailers with bubble wrap inside
  • Foil-lined bubble wrap
  • Biodegradable bags
  • Tape or paper bags
  • Mixed-material bread bags
  • Product bags that do not stretch

Crinkly Packaging

Crinkly packaging is usually thicker, makes a noticeable sound when handled, and tears instead of stretching.

Accepted

  • Chip bags and candy wrappers
  • Granola and energy bar wrappers
  • Coffee and frozen food bags
  • Salad and pasta bags
  • Cheese packaging
  • Crinkly resealable food bags
  • Food and drink pouches
  • Woven plastic bags
  • Produce netting
  • Clean loose takeout utensils
  • Plastic drinking straws

Not accepted

  • Items with paper liners
  • Items containing cardboard
  • Mixed materials other than plastic
  • Compostable or biodegradable packaging
  • Dirty or wet items

Textiles

Textiles may be in any condition, provided they are dry and free from mold or hazardous contamination.

Accepted

  • Clothes
  • Shoes
  • Towels
  • Sheets
  • Purses

Not accepted

  • Wet textiles
  • Hazardous or contaminated materials
  • Mildewed or moldy textiles

Styrofoam

Only small pieces of clean, rigid block EPS labeled #6 will fit in the Almost Anything Bag.

Accepted

  • Rigid packaging blocks
  • Small rigid coolers
  • Clean EPS labeled #6

Not accepted

  • Takeout containers
  • Styrofoam cups
  • Egg containers
  • Packing peanuts
  • Soft or flexible foam
  • Packaging labeled #5

Batteries & Bulbs

Mailback bags may include a limited number of standard alkaline batteries and intact LED bulbs only.

Accepted

  • Standard AA alkaline batteries
  • Standard AAA alkaline batteries
  • Maximum of 10 batteries per bag; keep batteries together in their own small bag
  • Intact LED lightbulbs

Not accepted

  • NiCd, NiMH, lithium-ion, or rechargeable batteries
  • Button cells or electronics batteries
  • Car or lead-acid batteries
  • Swollen or bulging batteries
  • Broken bulbs
  • Incandescent, CFL, or halogen bulbs

Everything Else We Accept

Mailback members can include any of the approved ReCo Pick materials below at any time — you do not need to follow the monthly ReCo Pick calendar. A few additional mailback-specific materials are also accepted. Keep scrap metal to no more than 10% of the bag.

How to pack small items: Most materials can go directly in your Almost Anything Bag. Please keep bread tags, rubber bands, twist ties, silica packets, clothing buttons, and batteries separated by type in small bags. Any clean small bag, including a resealable bag, is fine. We’ll recycle those bags through the appropriate material stream.

Important: Electronic devices are not accepted in mailback bags. Electrical cables and cords are accepted.

Before you mail it

Pack your bag safely

These limits help keep your shipment safe and compliant.

  • Do not include electronic devices. Cables and cords are still accepted.
  • Do not include lithium batteries, CFL bulbs, glass bulbs, or anything not specifically listed above.
  • Include no more than 10 AA or AAA alkaline batteries, and keep them together in their own small bag.
  • Do not include anything sharp.
  • Keep the packed bag at 10 pounds or less.

Questions? Email almostanything@therecollective.co.