TerraCycle Collection

There are many products in our daily lives that we’d like to be able to recycle once we’re done with them, but we can’t–at least in our curbside recycling bins. It takes some innovation, as well as some modification of the value chain, to divert items like contact lenses, empty toothpaste tubes, and other used beauty care products from the landfill to reprocessing.

One of those innovators is New Jersey-based TerraCycle, which has agreements with several product manufacturers and local groups to collect product packaging of various types and return them for reprocessing.

Zero Waste Melrose has a relationship with TerraCycle to collect those hard-to-recycle items. The first collection took place at Sally Frank’s Farmers Market in September 2019.

ZWM has several collection locations in Melrose:

Melrose Farmers’ Market (last Thursday of the month, June-October, 1:00-6:00 pm)
Drop off on front porch at 33 Woodland Ave
Limited collection at the Milano Center, 201 W Foster St, Melrose, MA 02176, (781) 662-6886: toothbrushes, floss containers, empty toothpaste tubes, and deodorant containers/caps

Nordstrom BEAUTYCYCLE: Recycle all brands of beauty and skincare product packaging

Nordstrom stores, Nordstrom Locals, and Nordstrom Racks are accepting beauty product packaging for recycling. Bring your recycling to a participating store in Danvers or Burlington. It's free, and you won't need a TerraCycle account or shipping label. Limited locations available.

Note: This program does not accept aerosol or pressurized cans, electronic items such as blow dryers, perfume bottles, nail polish bottles or removers, wooden eyeliner pencils, any bio-medical, bio-hazardous waste, or partially full and full packaging.