Why Recycle Batteries and Light Bulbs
Recycling batteries helps keep toxic metals out of landfills and helps prevent groundwater contamination.
Mercury-containing light bulbs like CFLs can seep into groundwater. Phosphor, which is present in fluorescent bulbs and tubes, is toxic. Light bulbs contain valuable metals, glass, and other materials that can be separated and recycled into new products.
Why Repurpose and Recycle Textiles
Textile waste occupies nearly 5% of all landfill space and only 15% gets recycled. Textile manufacturing is energy and water intensive and uses harsh chemicals in the process.
Check out this video from the Economist about fast fashion’s environmental impact.
We partner with Batteries Plus. Batteries & bulbs are sent to facilities where metals and chemicals are recycled, and harmful materials are properly disposed of.
Clothing and textiles that are in good shape are donated to community organizations for reuse locally. For items that are not appropriate for reuse, we partner with Green Zone to recycle the textile fibers into new products.
Check out the most recent article about The ReCollective in Raleigh Magazine here! Want to stay up to date? Sign up for our newsletter, check out our blog, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook!
ReCo FAQ: Answered – Do you take Fluorescent Tubes? Yes!! However, these do not go in the battery and bulbs bag (and they do not fit). If you have a fluorescent tube to recycle, go to your member dashboard shop and add this to your next pickup. We do charge $4 extra for any tubes picked up. This is because we incur higher handling costs to safely transport the tubes to prevent breakage and our partners charge higher recycling fees.