Recycling

What makes something locally recyclable

What makes something locally recyclable

Almost everything can technically be recycled. But whether or not a local recycling service will recycle it depends on if they can make money doing so. (Think of it as “urban mining.”) If the cost of collecting and processing the waste is lower than the value of the resulting raw material, it will likely be locally recyclable. If the costs are higher, then it likely won’t be. That’s why your local recycler typically accepts profitable-to-recycle items like aluminum cans, plastics #1 and #2, and cardboard, while the rest goes in your trash can and ends up in landfills or incinerators.

That’s where TerraCycle comes in. We can recycle the unrecyclable because we partner with brands, retailers, and other stakeholders who fund the cost of recycling. Learn about our innovative models for recycling the unrecyclable.
Global waste generation
Only a small percentage of our trash is recycled

Only a small percentage of our trash is recycled

Despite the scale of the waste crisis, most products and packaging are not locally recyclable. One example is products packaged in flexible plastics. This packaging is not typically recycled because it's not profitable to do so, yet the flexible plastics market is expected to grow to $164.3 billion by 2033. With global waste on track to increase by 70% by 2050, solutions are needed more than ever.

We're not your typical recycler. We can recycle…

Cigarette butts
Beauty products
Disposable razors
Disposable razors

Recycling tons of trash around the world

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Learn about our R&D breakthroughs that make all of this possible.
Learn about our innovation

90+ million TerraCyclers worldwide

500+ active recycling programs

National recycling solutions in 20+ countries

Many programs are free

We're able to offer free recycling solutions because stakeholders like retailers and brands fund the cost of collecting and recycling the waste.

Meet some of our participants

Sue - England

In 2023, Sue was awarded the Medal of the Order of the British Empire for her community service, including her TerraCycle drop-off point. So far, she's collected 160,000 pounds of trash for recycling, earning over £71,000 that she donated to local charities.

How companies sponsor recycling with us





See how our partnerships benefit communities around the world.

Impact

Some solutions have a cost

If there is not a free recycling program for a waste stream you're looking to recycle, our paid recycling solutions offer the opportunity to invest in recycling almost any kind of trash. The price reflects production of the solution, transportation to you, and then back to our recycling facilities. The process of sorting, cleaning, processing, and recycling is also included in the cost. Our boxes are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.

How businesses recycle with us

Industry-specific recycling

Universal waste solutions

TerraCycle Regulated Waste provides recycling solutions for hazardous waste such as e-waste, lighting, solar panels, batteries, PPE, and aerosols.

We’re the experts

EasyPak

We’re the experts

Pre-paid recycling containers for hard-to-recycle waste like batteries and lightbulbs.

Making recycling fun

We've found ways to encourage people to recycle more by making recycling fun.

ReZound

ReZound is an easy-to-use, all-in-one kit that attaches to recycling bins and encourages recycling through positive audio feedback.
Curious what the trash we recycle turns into? So many things, from playgrounds to construction materials to sculptures to products you can buy for your home.
See what we do with waste

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