Staples, Amazon partner on in-store recycling

Staples has partnered with Amazon in a move it says will offer convenient in-store recycling solutions for Staples customers across the United States.

In recognition of Earth Month in April, Staples customers who recycle items in-store can unlock exclusive deals and rewards through its new Easy Rewards program. From April 7 to May 5, customers can receive 1,000 reward points and a coupon for $10 off a $30 in-store purchase. From April 21-27, in-store recycling will be worth 2,000 rewards points in honor of Earth Day (April 22).

To participate, customers can speak to a store associate at checkout to recycle their items, which include:

• CD/DVD/Blu-ray discs and players;
• coffee brewers weighing less than 40 pounds;
• desktop and laptop computers;
• digital and video cameras;
• fax machines;
• gaming consoles and controllers;
• batteries such as single-use alkaline, power bank and power tool batteries;
• printers and ink cartridges; and
• SodaStream CO₂ cylinders.

Recently added recyclable items include nonrechargeable lithium batteries, phones and iPhone cases and writing utensils, such as crayons, pens and markers. Select stores are accepting luggage, backpacks and Lego bricks, and that practice will expand to all stores by June.

Staples has a limit of seven items per customer per day, though certain stores might accept a larger number of items on a case-by-case basis. The company boasts 970 locations across the U.S.

Among items that cannot be recycled in-store are air conditioners, appliances, floor-model printers or copiers, medical devices and smoke detectors.

Since 2021, Staples says its in-store program has led to a 155,014-ton reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the recycling of 19 million ink and toner cartridges. The retailer claims 7,000 tons of technology and more have been recycled, while 8,000 tons of paper have been shredded and recycled in that same span. In-store recycling efforts have led to 452,000 tons of material being diverted from landfills.

The company also offers technology recycling kits through a mail-in program in partnership with Fresno, California-based integrated information technology and electronic asset disposition provider ERI.