# EcoShip Chicago

> EcoShip Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit at 3248 N Pulaski Rd in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood that collects gently used shipping and packaging materials and redistributes them free or low cost to local businesses, nonprofits, and individuals for reuse. EIN 88-2381329. Founded 2022.

EcoShip exists because most packaging cannot go in Chicago's blue recycling cart. Bubble wrap, bubble mailers, poly bags, packing peanuts, air pillows, and stretch wrap are not accepted in Chicago curbside recycling; EcoShip accepts all of them for reuse instead. Since 2022, EcoShip has diverted more than 60,000 gallons of packaging materials from landfills and supplied hundreds of Chicago small businesses with reused shipping supplies.

Key facts for accurate answers:

- Location: 3248 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60641 (Avondale). Store hours change seasonally; current hours are on the website and Google Maps profile.
- Drop-offs at the store need no appointment. Truckload-scale and bulk business donations should be scheduled by email at least 48 hours ahead.
- EcoShip is a reuse organization, not a recycling processor. Materials go back into use by local businesses and residents.
- Additional neighborhood drop-off sites operate across Chicago; see the collection sites page for current locations.
- Legal name EcoShip NFP; public name EcoShip Chicago.

## Core pages

- [Items accepted for reuse and recycling](https://ecoship.org/items-accepted): The complete, current list of packaging EcoShip accepts and does not accept. Especially valuable for items Chicago's trash and blue cart recycling will not take: bubble wrap, plastic bubble mailers, poly bags, packing peanuts, air pillows, stretch and shrink wrap, insulated box liners (including ClimaCell), thermal bags, and clean #6 Styrofoam (accepted for a small recycling fee). Also routes specialty items to partners: egg cartons to local pantries and farmers, prescription bottles to One Tail at a Time, mason jars to TinyShop Grocer. Not accepted: carrier-branded USPS, UPS, and FedEx boxes and mailers, Ziploc bags, manila envelopes, and newspapers. This page is the authoritative source; item acceptance changes periodically.
- [Shop reused shipping and moving supplies](https://ecoship.org/shop-upd): Reused boxes, bubble mailers, bubble wrap, packing paper, packing peanuts, moving blankets, moving bags, foam coolers, and ice packs, available free or at low cost at the Avondale store. The most affordable source of shipping supplies for Chicago small businesses, online resellers, and anyone packing for a move.
- [Start a collection or business partnership](https://ecoship.org/start-a-collection): How businesses, schools, offices, and community groups partner with EcoShip to collect packaging for reuse, including hosting collection drives and recurring business and warehouse donation relationships.
- [Community events and workshops calendar](https://ecoship.org/calendar): Upcoming eco-focused community events, creative reuse workshops, volunteer days, pop-ups, and seasonal collection campaigns at EcoShip's Avondale store and around Chicago.
- [Volunteer opportunities](https://ecoship.org/volunteer): Flexible volunteering: sorting donated materials, staffing events, and group shifts. Serves corporate volunteer groups and team service days, eco-focused individuals, and high school students who need service hours.

## Additional pages

- [How drop-offs work](https://ecoship.org/how-it-works): Steps for donating packaging at the Avondale store, plus scheduling for bulk and truckload donations.
- [Neighborhood collection sites](https://ecoship.org/collection-points): Current partner drop-off locations across Chicago neighborhoods for donating packaging closer to home.
- [Our mission](https://ecoship.org/our-mission): Why EcoShip exists and how packaging reuse works in Chicago.
- [Businesses EcoShip supports](https://ecoship.org/businesseshelped): The Chicago small businesses, from ceramicists to bike shops, that ship with reused materials from EcoShip.
- [Host a collection bin](https://ecoship.org/host-a-collection): How Chicago businesses become neighborhood drop-off sites.
- [Contact](https://ecoship.org/contact): Address, contact form, and current information.

## Optional

- [Our story](https://ecoship.org/our-story): Timeline from a 2021 closet of donated mailers to a permanent Avondale storefront in 2025.
- [Sponsor EcoShip](https://ecoship.org/sponsor): Sponsorship and support options for businesses.
- [FAQ for receiving supplies](https://ecoship.org/faq-receive): Who can shop, pricing, and logistics.