A young woman and man with light skin smiling outdoors in front of trees, standing near a fountain.

We don’t recycle we reuse.

“EcoShip is not a waste management company. That was never our goal, nor will it ever be in the future.”

EcoShip’s Timeline

  • A man and woman standing together in a festive restaurant with American flag and blue checkered banners, surrounded by people dining.

    Before EcoShip was EcoShip


    June 2021

    Founder, Aleksandra, began collecting packaging materials for her partner, Peter’s, e-commerce business. Using local Facebook groups, she drove around Chicago to gather items.

  • A group of people standing at a table with bubble wrap and packing supplies, preparing packages in a room with wooden floors and yellow walls.

    Nonprofit or For Profit?


    January 2022

    It was decided that EcoShip would become a nonprofit, benefitting local businesses with free packaging. We formed our board, got our first storage unit, and got to work.

  • Group of six people standing behind a table with a green tablecloth, at an EcoShip donation event for packaging materials, with a signboard and donation box.

    First Grant


    October 2022

    EcoShip is awarded our first grant through Delta Institute, allowing us to rent out a second storage unit and expand our operations.

  • A large green and black compost collection box with signage promoting eco-friendly materials and a yellow sign from The Urban Canopy Compost Club, offering a discount code for compost collection, inside the back of a van.

    First Collection Campaign

    December 2023

    We rolled out our first ever collection campaign during which schools, offices, and individuals could pay for a pick-up service. Our last two campaigns sold out and we are excited to bring it back for the 2025 holidays.

  • Storefront with large glass windows and orange-painted frame, displaying the words "Eco Ship" on the window. Reflection of street with cars and buildings visible in the glass.

    First Retail Space

    January 2025

    Thanks to a private donation of $15,000 and an $8,400 donation from the Ferdi Foundation, we were able to move into our first retail space in a pop-up location in West Town. We spent 6 months collecting and distributing packaging to our community. We are currently fundraising to be able to move into our permanent residence. Find more information HERE.

  • Our Home

    October 2025

    With the support of our community, we were able to raise $33,000 to move into our new home with a 3-year lease. We are now located in Avondale and continue keeping packaging out of the landfill, providing educational programming to local schools, and hosting workshops and events.