How do I drop off materials?

1. Check our list

  • Be sure to check our list of accepted items thoroughly. Not sure if we’ll take something? Send us a picture or bring it in and ask our team!

  • We ask that you respect our decision to reject your items if they are not on our list, if they are dirty/torn up, or if we cannot take certain items due to capacity issues.

    • We are a small organization with limited staff, space, and resources. If we cannot find a business or organization that will take a certain item, we will not accept it.

2. Organize your items

  • We ask that you fold and neatly organize all of your packaging and any other items before dropping off. It saves us, and you!, a ton of time.

3. Stop by

  • Arrival

    • Our headquarters is located at 3248 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60641.

      • There is paid street parking readily available on Pulaski Rd. and School St.

      • If you have a lot of materials, come on into the store and ask our team if you can use one of our carts.

    • Starting December 4th, stop by during our business hours to drop off your items. No appointment necessary.

      • Have a lot of materials? Use one of our carts by the entrance.

        • If you are bringing an SUV- or van-full and/or need help unloading, please send us an email at least 48 hours in advance to let us know the day and time frame that you will be arriving. Any emails that are sent less than 48 hours before your arrival will most likely not be seen. We are volunteer-run and don’t always have enough hands to make last-minute accommodations, but we’ll do our best!

  • What to Expect

    • Head on over to the back of the store to get your materials looked through.

      • Please use a cart if you have a lot of materials. We ask that you do not leave your items in front of the door - the entryway must remain clear for all community members.

    • Our volunteers will take 2-8 minutes to look through your packaging materials. The time depends on the number of people in front of you. We appreciate your patience.

      • If you bring items for partners, we’ll show you where our ‘Partners Station’ is so that you can place your items in the appropriate bins while we sort your packaging.

        • Our partners include Reduce Waste Chicago, Cradles to Crayons, TinyShop Grocer, and EveryMom.

    • Anything that we cannot accept, will be returned to you. We cannot throw away or recycle anything at our site. We will give you options on how to recycle or compost certain items that we cannot take.

    • You will also have the opportunity to make a donation (suggested $5) or buy merch to support the work that we are doing in the Illinois community.

4. Feel Good!

  • We love the feeling after dropping off items with our partners who can reuse or properly recycle/upcycle them. We hope that you feel that way as well!

    • Interested in learning where your packaging goes? Check our list of businesses that reuse your materials.