On the Go: What can I do?

Hold on to it
The “duh” option gets to the heart of how someone defines convenience. Some might think recycling is only convenient when a bin is within walking distance. Others have ways to make recycling easy even if it’s not expressly convenient. For example, when you’re out shopping and finish a bottled drink, twist the cap back on and toss it into one of your shopping bags until you get home. That way no liquid residue gets on your goods and you can recycle it when you get home. This also works with a gym bag, purse or diaper bag. If you’re near your car, pop the bottle in the trunk or the back seat and recycle it where you know there’s a bin. Or, just literally, hold on to it. If you’re willing to carry the bottle around with the drink still inside, what’s the harm in holding it empty?

Find a Bin Nearby

• Earth 911 - Earth911’s iPhone recycling application allows users to look up recycling areas and materials from their current location (or a specified one).


• Ecoville - While Ecoville doesn’t have a mobile site yet, you can still search for recycling locations at home or on a Web-capable phone.


• PepsiCo Dream Machines – Dream Machine kiosks are computerized receptacles that include a personal reward system that allows consumers to collect and redeem points for each bottle or can they recycle in the kiosk. Rite Aid is one of the first national retailers to sign on to the program, starting with 150 kiosks in its North Carolina locations.


• Twitter #binhere – By using the hashtag (#) in Twitter and then placing the phrase “binhere” after it, we can start making a list of recycling bins we find while out and about. To further note where the bin is, place a hashtag after “binhere” with the name of the city.
  For example - #binhere #raleigh RT @NCStateRecycles Carmichael Gym on #ncsu campus has recycling bins!
  To then search for a bin, follow the link above to the Twitter search function for that particular phrase.


• Ask - If you’re low tech, often the best way to find a bin is by asking around. There might be one hiding in a bathroom or behind a counter.

Talk to property manager
If it bothers you enough that your favorite restaurant or gym doesn’t have a recycling program, do something about it. Recycle More NC has a palm card for consumers to give to their favorite local business to help it start a recycling program. You can download that palm card here. If social media is more your style, place this badge onto your Facebook page and the company’s page, letting them know you want them to recycle. You can also get ideas from the recycling success stories on N.C. DPPEA’s Case Study page.