Backpacks
As part of their significant recycling offering, Staples is working with “Close the Loop” to offer a free recycling program for backpacks and school supplies. Close the Loop…
Recycle
Recycling often gets a bad rap. There certainly are problems associated with the industry, not least of which is that recycling gives us the impression we have solved the problem of waste, when it is simply a way to lessen an existing problem as we try to transition away from creating waste. Recycling is useful because it can reduce the volume and impact of items housed in landfills. However, it is complicated and ever changing. The listings below give information on items that can be recycled effectively and details on how to prepare them so they will not cause problems in recycling operations. Please contact us with changes or additions to this guide.
Batteries: Alkaline
Alkaline batteries are hard to recycle. The best local option for battery recycling is BatteriesPlus in Roanoke, which takes virtually every kind of household battery. Staples stores are also taking…
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Batteries: Auto
Used lead acid car batteries (from conventional gas-powered cars) are typically taken by the company where you purchase a new battery. Usually the price includes a core charge which is refunded….
Batteries: Rechargeable
Alkaline household batteries can be replaced by a more environmentally safe alternative. Rechargeable batteries are a better substitute because they have a long life…
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Bicycle Inner Tubes
Bicycle inner tubes can be recycled to create upcycled bags and accessories.
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Books: Out of Date or Damaged
Book Covers can be removed from books and the insides can be recycled with paper. The glossy covers of paperbacks can be recycled with magazines. See the Books in Good Condition listing…..
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Cardboard: Boxes, Corrugated, Pressed
Some businesses can reuse clean cardboard boxes in good condition. Cardboard, corrugated, pressed, cereal boxes can be recycled at Floyd County Transfer Station and at the Greenbox…
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Cardboard: Six-Pack Containers
Cardboard 6-pack boxes used for carrying beer, wine, soda, etc. can be reused by Republic of Floyd. You can drop them in the box outside the store, or take them inside.
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CDs, DVDs, and Video Games
CDs, DVDs, and video games in good condition are accepted at Angels in the Attic and Goodwill Industries. Several large stores such as Best Buy and Staples will also take these items …
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Clothing: Babies and Kids
Wearable children’s clothing in good condition can be donated to Angels in the Attic, Goodwill, or other secondhand shop. Carter’s runs a recycling program through Terracycle…
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Clothing: Denim Jeans
Denim jeans in good condition can be taken to Angels in the Attic. American American Eagle and Zappos for Good will take any pair of jeans that are 90% or more of cotton…
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Clothing: Socks
Several sock brands will take back socks of any make. Angels in the Attic can accept a small number of socks in very good condition. SustainFloyd collects socks at its month recycle events.
Clothing: Underwear
The company Subset will accept underwear, bras, socks, and tights of any brand, in any condition for recycling into insulation padding and furniture batting…
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Egg Cartons
Egg cartons of any material are accepted by Weathertop Farm, Slaughters Supermarket, Harvest Moon, SustainFloyd’s Reuse/Recyle events, and by some Farmers Market vendors.
Electronics
Many electronic items can be recycled at the Floyd County Transfer Station. Staples and Best Buy accept electronic items for reuse or recycling. Some computers can be returned to manufacture…
Floyd County Solid Waste & Recycling
Floyd County accepts a variety of items for recycling, including electronics, appliances, scrap metals, paint, liquids, tires, wood, aluminum, steel, glass, cardboard, paper, #1 and #2 plastic.
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Food Waste: Composting
Food waste does not have to go in the landfill. Create your own compost or donate your waste to a local farm that will turn it into compost.
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Footwear
Gently worn footwear in good condition may be donated to Angels in the Attic in Floyd or Goodwill in Christiansburg. Shoes in any condition can be shipped to the Zappos for Good program…
Garden: Plant Pots and Trays
Several nurseries take back clean plant pots in good condition. Check with individual locations for the sizes they will currently take. SustainFloyd collects sizes from 4″ to 1 gallon for our seed starting…
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Garden: Plant Waste
Garden waste such as weeds, fallen leaves etc can be composted. Large or woody items should be chopped or shredded. If you are not composting at home ask…
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Glass: Not Reusable
Glass of all colors is accepted at the Floyd County Green Box Convenience Centers and at the Floyd Transfer Station. All colors and shapes of glass can be mixed together. Do not include…
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Guitar Strings
D’Addario accepts guitar strings of all brands for recycling. You can ship directly to them, or take your strings to Fret Mill Music in Roanoke.
Holiday Lights
You can recycle Christmas lights with Holiday LEDS, and receive a 10% discount on future purchases. They accept string lights any time of the year (no rope lights or bulbs). Once they receive your lights…
Light Bulbs
Light bulbs should be recycled, as they can be toxic and leach into landfill. Many stores recycle them for free including BatteriesPlus, Home Depot, Lowes, and True Value…
Metals: Aluminum
Household aluminum, including soda and beer cans, are collected for recycling at the Floyd Transfer station and at Green Box Convenience Centers. Other options are available for selling large…
Metals: Scrap
Scrap metal can be taken to the Floyd Transfer Station. There are also several private scrap metal dealers in the County. Aluminum and steel can be dropped off at most Floyd County Greenbox…
Microwave Ovens
Microwave ovens, in working condition, can be taken to Angels in the Attic in Floyd, The ReStore in Christiansburg, and any Goodwill Industries in the area. Non-working microwaves can be taken to…
Packaging: Burts Bees
Burt’s Bees has a free recycling program for packaging from their personal care, lip care, and beauty care products. Sign up for the free shipping label at Terracycle. These items can also be brought to…
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Packaging: Dental Care
Toms of Maine offers free recycling of any brand toothpaste tubes and caps, mouthwash bottles and caps, floss containers toothbrushes and packaging. Toothpastes tubes can be recycled as #2 plastic.
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Packaging: Skin Care
Beauty packaging is often too small, too flexible, or made of too many materials to be recycled through traditional curbside recycling systems. The Beauty Dropoff Bins at Ulta accepts beauty packaging…
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Paper
Paper can be recycled at the Floyd County Transfer Station, some Greenbox Recycling Convenience Centers, and at Food Lion’s mixed paper recycling bin in Floyd. Floyd County requires paper to be…
Paper: Brown Paper Grocery Bags
Brown paper grocery bags in good condition can be used for New River Community Action Backpack Program and are also collected at SustainFloyd monthly Reuse/Recycle. They can be repurposed…
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Paper: Newspaper
Newspaper can be reused as fire lighting material for wood stoves and open fires. They are also useful for packaging, protecting surfaces during craft projects, and for washing windows. They can be…
Pill Bottles
Clean empty plastic pill bottles can be shipped to Matthew 25 Ministries for inclusion in shipments of medical supplies to developing countries. SustainFloyd also accepts clean empty pill bottles at its…
Plastic #1: PET
#1 plastic is commonly used in food and beverage containers such as water and soda bottles, cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars, and salad dressing bottles. It is accepted for recycling at the…
Plastic #2: HDPE
#2 plastic is a thicker, more rigid plastic that includes uses such as milk and water jugs, shampoo bottles, cleaning product containers, laundry detergent bottles, and motor oil containers. It is accepted for…
Plastic #4: LDPE
#4 plastic is a flexible plastic most commonly found in plastic bags and film, jar and bottle caps, and six-pack rings. #4 plastic is difficult to recycle and is not accepted at Floyd County recycling locations…
Plastic #5: Polypropylene
#5 plastic (Polypropylene or PP) is a strong, flexible plastic often used for food containers, including dairy products like sour cream and yogurt. Other common uses include plant pots, plastic tableware, straws…
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Plastic #6: Polystyrene
#6 plastic (Polystyrene) includes Styrofoam used in take out food containers, egg cartons, and packaging, as well as rigid plastic used in CD cases and plastic cutlery. Polystyrene contains toxic…
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Plastic #7: Other
#7 plastic includes any plastic that is not included in one of the other six categories, or plastics that contain mixed resins from multiple categories. Products that fit into this category include…