We are currently NOT accepting X-Small or Small Boxes. All boxes must be 12×12×12” and larger.
Thank you!

Donate Packaging Materials

  • Before dropping off packaging, please read our “How To” guide to ensure a smooth drop-off.

  • Please have all of your items sorted + folded neatly by type so that our volunteers can quickly look through them.

  • Larger drop-offs will take longer to look through - please be patient.

  • We cannot and will not accept items that are dirty, sticky, or torn, items that have excess tape on them, items that have an odor (smoke, perfume, soap, etc), or boxes that have holes or ones that are dirty.

Suggested donation

Our work depends on donations. Please consider donating $5 for a small drop-off, $10 for a medium drop-off, and $20 for a large drop-off. Our donation link can be found HERE. Thank you!

Items NOT Accepted

Click here to jump to the accepted list.

  • Recyclable Mailers

    Recyclable Mailers

    NOT Accepting.

    We cannot accept these unless they are brand new. Please recycle any gently used ones.

  • USPS branded mailers and Priority Mail boxes, not accepted for reuse donation

    USPS Mailers & Boxes

    NOT Accepting.

    Please recycle mailers at your local Jewel or Mariano’s and the boxes in your blue bins.

  • UPS Mailers & Boxes

    UPS branded mailers and boxes, not accepted for donation

    NOT Accepting.

    Please recycle mailers at your local Jewel or Mariano’s and the boxes in your blue bins.

  • FedEx branded mailers and boxes, not accepted for donation

    FedEx Mailers & Boxes

    NOT Accepting.

    Please recycle mailers at your local Jewel or Mariano’s and the boxes in your blue bins.

  • Ziploc bags, not accepted at EcoShip's packaging drop-off

    Ziploc Bags

    NOT Accepting.

    Ziploc bags are not accepted by us. They are difficult to recycle and we do not have the capacity to store or handle them.

  • Manila envelopes, not accepted; recycle used ones curbside

    Manila Envelopes

    NOT Accepting.

    If brand new, they can be dropped off at the WasteShed. If used, they can be placed in your recycling bin.

  • Personal shredded documents, not accepted for donation

    Personal Shredded Paper

    NOT Accepting.

    Check your local alderperson’s upcoming shred event. Your personal shredded documents cannot be reused by small businesses.

  • Stack of newspapers, not accepted for packaging reuse

    Newspapers

    NOT Accepting.

    Newspapers leave behind ink residues. Therefore, our customers cannot reuse it. Please recycle or post in your local Buy Nothing Facebook group.

  • Cardboard box dividers, not accepted for donation

    Cardboard Dividers

    NOT Accepting.

    These are too specific. We don’t have any customers that could reuse these.

  • Thick foam blocks, not accepted at EcoShip

    Foam Blocks

    NOT Accepting.

    These are too specific. We don’t have any customers that could reuse these.

Items Accepted at our Headquarters

Disclaimer Demand for certain items change. Our team has the right to say ‘no’ to your items if we cannot take them. Please respect our decision.

Disclaimer We are not responsible for removing any labels with your information on your packaging. If you would like to remove your information, do not remove the label (we can’t accept sticky items). Use a black marker to cross it out.

A list of accepted items at our collection sites ONLY can be found HERE.

  • Clean plastic bubble mailers accepted for reuse donation at EcoShip Chicago

    Plastic Bubble Mailers

    - Free from holes, tears, dirt, sticky residue, ink stains.
    - Do not cut label out.
    - No UPS, USPS, or FedEx mailers.

    We are NOT accepting paper mailers (like the ones from Amazon) or Kraft mailers (paper on the outside, bubble wrap on the inside).

  • Poly mailer bags in good condition, accepted for donation

    Poly Bags

    Free from holes, tears, dirt, sticky residue, ink stains

    No USPS, UPS, or FedEx

    Do not cut label out

  • Clear poly bags free of tears, accepted for packaging reuse

    Clear Poly Bags

    Free from holes, tears, dirt, sticky residue, ink stains

    No Food bags or Ziploc bags

    Any bags that have been in contact with food, oils, or dirt will not be accepted by us. Remove all receipts.

  • Thermal insulated shipping bags accepted for donation

    Thermal Insulated Bags

    Clean, dry and free from debris

    Reminder, these will be reused by others.

  • Inflated bubble wrap accepted for donation and reuse at EcoShip Chicago

    Bubble Wrap

    Small and large bubbles of any color are accepted. Bubbles must be inflated.

    Remove all tape

    Free from holes, tears, dirt, sticky residue, ink stains

  • Foam and starch packing peanuts accepted for donation in Chicago

    Packing Peanuts

    All colors and types (foam and starch) are accepted.

    • Place in secure packaging and keep separate from all other items. Do not mix with other items.

  • Folded kraft packing paper accepted for reuse

    Packing Paper

    Fold the paper before dropping off. Balled up paper will not be accepted.

    No wadded paper from shoes

    Free from holes, tears, dirt, sticky residue, ink stains

  • Honeycomb packing paper accepted for donation

    Honeycomb Packing Paper

    Leave any tissue paper that comes with it - it’s part of the packaging.

    • Free from holes, tears, dirt, sticky residue, ink stains

  • Corrugated cardboard bubble wrap accepted for reuse

    Corrugated Bubble Wrap

    This item will be thick and upcycled from cardboard boxes.

    • Free from holes, tears, dirt, sticky residue, ink stains

  • Shredded Packing Paper

    Shredded Packing Paper

    All colors are accepted.

    • No private documents and personal mail shred

    • Place in secure packaging and keep separate from all other items.

  • Thin flexible foam packing sheets accepted for reuse

    Foam Packing Sheets

    Only thin and flexible sheets will be accepted.

    NO thick (>1/4”) pieces of foam. We do not have the capacity for those pieces.

  • Unbranded organza gift bags accepted for donation

    Organza Bags

    All sizes of unbranded organza bagsaccepted

    Designs are okay (e.g. stars, polka dots, etc).

    No branded bags, no velvet or cloth bags.

  • Unbranded jewelry gift boxes accepted for reuse

    Jewelry Boxes

    No branded boxes.

    Jewelry boxes must be without branding and in very good condition.

  • Rolls of clear and tan packing tape accepted for donation

    Packing Tape

    Clear or tan accepted. Used rolls accepted if there is an acceptable amount of tape left

    • No duct tape, electrical tape, craft tape, painter’s tape, or double sided tape.

  • Paper grocery bags in good condition accepted for reuse

    Paper Grocery Bags

    All sizes accepted, with or without handles.

    Bags must be in very good condition. If they are torn or dirty, we encourage compositing or recycling them.

  • Gently used tissue paper accepted for donation

    Tissue Paper

    Tissue paper must be gently used or brand new. All colors are accepted. We will not accept tissue paper with holes or branding.

  • Clean reusable thermal grocery bags, donated to a local CSA service

    Reusable Thermal Bags

    No holes or stains. Each bag must be washed and wiped down before dropping off.

    Donated to a local CSA delivery service.

  • Gel ice packs, currently not accepted at EcoShip

    Reusable Ice Packs

    CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING

  • Clean moving blankets accepted for donation and reuse

    Moving Blankets

    All moving blankets must be clean and free of debris, pet hair, and holes. We will not accept any blankets that have a strong odor.

  • Inflated plastic air pillows accepted for packaging reuse

    Air Pillows

    Must be inflated. Deflated air pillows will not be accepted and can be dropped off at a grocery store plastic bag recycling box.

  • Flattened cardboard boxes 12 inches and larger, accepted for reuse in Chicago

    Boxes

    Not accepting x-small or small boxes.
    Must be 12×12×12” or larger.

    • Boxes must be flattened, unless they’re these mailers. If dropping off wardrobe boxes, please include the bars.

    • We will NOTaccept boxes that are dirty or have holes in them.

    • Bankers boxes are now accepted.
      Do not flatten.

    • Shoe boxes are notaccepted.

  • Vinyl record mailers accepted for donation

    Vinyl Record Mailers

    All sizes accepted.
    Please make sure all sides are intact.

  • Cardboard poster tubes accepted for reuse

    Poster Tubes

    Cylindrical and triangular are accepted. Please make sure both ends are intact.

  • Plastic storage totes with lids accepted for donation

    Plastic Totes

    Totes MUST have lids and be wiped clean. No cracks or missing handles.

    Done using your plastic totes for storage or moving? Drop them off with us so that someone else can reuse them.

  • Plastic milk crates accepted for reuse

    Milk Crates

    All colors are accepted. Crates must be clean and in very good condition.

    Unsure if we’ll accept them? Send us a photo.

  • ClimaCell insulated box liners accepted for donation

    ClimaCell & Renew Liners

    All types of liners are accepted as long as they are encased in paper or plastic. If your liner is full of holes and the material is coming out, please do not drop it off with us as it makes a mess.

  • Gently used holiday wrapping paper, gift bags, and bows accepted for reuse

    Holiday Wrapping Items

    We will accept gently used or new:
    - Wrapping paper
    - Gift bags
    - Bows
    - Ribbon
    - To & From labels
    - Cards (must be new)

  • Birthday and wedding gift wrap and gift bags accepted for donation

    Special Occasion Wrapping Items

    We will accept gently used or new birthday, anniversary, wedding, baby shower, etc:
    - Wrapping paper
    - Gift bags
    - Cards (must be new)

  • Rolls of stretch and shrink wrap accepted for reuse

    Stretch & Shrink Wrap

    Opened rolls are accepted as long as there is a decent amount still left on the roll.

  • Reusable bags

    Reusable Bags

    CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING

  • Clean plastic grocery bags, reused by Dignity Diner

    Plastic Grocery Bags

    *RECENTLY ADDED* Bags must be clean and hole-free. Please check all your bags before dropping off.

    These will be reused by Dignity Diner.

  • Heavy-duty moving bags accepted for donation

    Moving Bags

    Please wipe down all bags before dropping off. We cannot accept bags that have holes or ones that have torn handles.

  • Clean Amazon delivery totes accepted for reuse

    Amazon Totes

    We can only accept clean totes that are not torn up.

  • Clean number 6 Styrofoam packaging, accepted for a recycling fee at EcoShip Chicago

    Styrofoam Containers + Packaging (#6)

    ACCEPTED FOR A FEE*.

    Pieces must be clean and have the recycling #6 on them.

    Our charges are $5 for a paper grocery-sized bag, $8 for a 13-gallon trash bag, or $1 per cooler. We are no longer accepting Styrofoam coolers for free. We are at capacity. They will be recycled at DART with the rest of the Styrofoam.

    *The fees help pay for a rental vehicle needed to drop off the Styrofoam at the DART recycling facility.

  • New sets of plastic utensils are accepted and donated to a local food pantry

    Plastic Utensils

    *UPDATE* Only sets will be accepted, no loose utensils. Please no sauce packets, chopsticks, or straws.

    These will be donated to a local pantry.

  • Clean paper and plastic egg cartons, reused by local pantries and farmers

    Egg Cartons

    12, 18, 24, or 30 counts. Please make sure that containers are clean. Paper, plastic, and Styrofoam accepted.

    These will be reused by local pantries and a local farmer.

  • Clean Health-Ade glass bottles are currently accepted

    Health-Ade Glass Bottles

    Please wash all bottles and remove labels as best as you can before dropping off. Thank you!

    These will be donated to TinyShop Grocer for reuse.

  • Wide-Mouth Ball Mason Jars

    Must be clean, not chipped, and wide-mouthed. No lids needed. Narrow-mouth jars will not be accepted. Must be actual mason jars - not regular glass jars.

    These will be donated to TinyShop Grocer for reuse.

  • Lush Pods are accepted and donated to TinyShop Grocer for reuse.

    Lush Pods

    Please rinse out all containers and remove label as best as you can before dropping off.

    These will be donated to TinyShop Grocer for reuse.

  • Plastic mesh bottle protector sleeves are accepted

    Mesh Bottle Sleeves

    Plastic only, no cardboard or foam sleeves.

    These will be donated to TinyShop Grocer for reuse.

  • EcoShip is a donation hub for Cradles to Crayons, check their website for items that can be donated

    Cradles to Crayons

    Please check their list of accepted items before dropping off. All items must be brand new or gently used.

  • EcoShip accepts donations of new baby supplies for EveryMon Chicago

    EveryMom Chicago

    All items must be new
    (but can have open packaging)

    • Unscented baby wipes

    • Diapers (especially size Newborn and 1)

    • Nursing pads (disposable or reusable)

    • Perineal cold packs

    • Any unused breastfeeding supplies (pump wipes, sterile bags, nursing bras, etc.)

    • Baby bottles

  • Clear orange prescription bottles, donated to One Tail at a Time

    Prescription Bottles

    Only orange, blue, and green see-through bottles are accepted - no opaque bottles. Please remove your label and make sure the bottles are clean.

    Bottles are donated to One Tail at a Time.

  • Rubber bands

    Rubber Bands

    CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING

  • Twist ties

    Twist Ties

    CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING

  • Silca gel packets

    Silica Gel Packets

    CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING

Items Accepted - Limited Time at Headquarters

In Collaboration with Reduce Waste Chicago

  • Arm & Hammer and OxiClean Plastic Pouches

    Please empty and rinse out as best as you can.

  • Bread Tags

    Bread Tags

    Plastic only.

  • Brita Filters

    Brita Filters

    Brita brand ONLY.

  • Contact Lenses & Cases

    Please remove any and all liquid.

  • Dunkin Donuts Coffee Bags

    Dunkin Donuts Coffee Bags

    NO LONGER ACCEPTED BY REDUCE WASTE CHICAGO

  • Crayons are accepted

    Crayons

    Brand new or used/broken are accepted. No markers or pens.

  • Ink Cartridges & Toners

    Ink Cartridges & Toners

    Must be empty and used.

  • Keys

    Keys

    Please remove all key rings.

  • LEGO brand legos are accepted

    LEGOS

    LEGO brand ONLY

  • Paktech beverage holders

    Paktech can holders

    Plastic beer can holders/carriers. Any size and color. Remove all stickers as best as you can.

  • Plastic Cards

    Plastic Cards

    IDs, licenses, credit cards, gift cards, key cards. CUT ALL CARDS CONTAINING SENSITIVE INFORMATION.

  • Prescription Glasses

    Prescription Glasses

    Must be in good condition. Prescription glasses only. No cases, please.

  • Sneakers in all conditions are accepted, must tie matching sneakers together

    Sneakers

    All conditions accepted. Please tie matching sneakers together.

    ONLY SNEAKERS.

  • Toothpaste Tubes & Toothbrushes

    Toothpaste Tubes & Toothbrushes

    Please make sure that tubes are empty. Electric toothbrushes are not accepted.

  • Tennis Balls

    Tennis Balls

    Any condition.

If you don’t see an item on our list of accepted items, we do not accept it.

We encourage you to recycle or donate these items to organizations that accept them.

More Resources