Upcycling / Recycling Resource List
Included in my fee is the responsible disposal/donation of your items. But if you are wanting to get rid of stuff yourself, click on the pictures below to get more information on each item!
Batteries
Batteries do not go in the trash! They contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals.
Take them to a HHW Depot or Staples to be recycled properly!
Household Hazardous Waste
Household cleaners, fertilizers, paint cans, pesticides all have to be disposed of properly!
Take to your local HHW Depot!
Plastic Cards
Terracycle has a paid program to collect plastic cards like: gift cards, IDs, membership cards etc. I haven’t found one in Peterborough yet, but there is a drop off bin located at the MCC Hazelglen Thrift Store in Kitchener.
Expired Medications
Take your pills/blister packs to your local pharmacy for them to dispose of responsibly. DO NOT FLUSH THEM DOWN THE TOILET!
Plastic Grocery Bags
Many thrift stores will take plastic grocery bags to reuse. Check your local one before recycling!
Old Textbooks
If you have old textbooks lying around, donate them to a local Textbooks 4 Change dropbox! They take all textbooks published in the last 15 years.
Cosmetics & Toiletries
Donate extra toiletries to your local Personal Care Bank!
Fabric/Textiles
Worn out clothing/textiles - check your local donation centre! They often cut fabrics into rags, rugs, quilts, or will send to textile recycling! Peterborough has a textile recycling facility.
Computers
Old computers, laptops, and other equipment can be donated to reBOOT in Peterborough.
Towels/Blankets
Bring towels and blankets to your local animal shelter for them to give comfort to the animals!
Scrap Metal
Sheet metal, appliances, hardware etc. Drop off your scrap metal at the recycling depot on Pido Rd. or take to Habitat for Humanity
Old Tires
Tires can be dropped off at Canadian Tire free of charge to be recycled and made into playground flooring!
Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Fluorescent light bulbs do not go in the trash!
Take them to a HHW Depot or Lowe’s to be recycled properly!
Foreign Currency
Don’t let your collection of foreign currency take up space! Take it to your local currency converter to swap out for CA$ or to donate to March of Dimes!
Mattresses
Check out recyc-mattress that operates out of Quebec and Toronto, and provides mattresses to those less fortunate! They accept gently used mattresses and box springs.
Paint Cans
Full or empty! Drop them off at your local HHW Depot for proper disposal.
Old Shoes
If you have old running or athletic shoes lying around, you can donate them to your local Bioped location!
Wedding Dresses
Donate your wedding dress to Gina’s Closet in St. Jacobs. The proceeds are donated to a cancer charity of your choice.
I have yet to find a local option in Peterborough!
Printer Ink Cartridges
Take them to Staples to be recycled properly!
Dried up Pens/ Markers
Staples has partnered with Terracycle to allow writing utensils to be recycled!
Eyeglasses
Don’t toss those old eyeglasses!
Drop them off at your local library, church or Lion’s Club
Building Materials
Tools, sets of tile, hardware etc. can all be dropped off at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore!
Prescription Bottles
Plastic bottles like these are not recyclable! Check out Earthub to see if they have a collection program in your area.
Expired Car Seats
Rather than tossing, take your expired car seats to a participating Co-Operators location! They have partnered with Atmo.
Socks
Second Cut Project recycles socks through Material Return™. Find a participating retailer or send them for free through the mail!
Oral Care Products
Recycle old toothbrushes, floss containers, toothpaste tubes and more through Terracycle’s free Oral Care Recycling Program!
Books
Bring your adult’s and children’s books to your closest Little Free Library so that anyone in your neighbourhood can enjoy
Empty Beauty Containers
Drop off your empty/clean packaging from makeup at ALL Sephora locations, including the one at Lansdowne Place!
