We're Changing How We Do Container Donations

We’re making some changes to our upcycled container program to reward high-quality donations that can be refilled again and again. As part of our ongoing efforts to improve the process and cut down on resources used to process them, we're going to be more selective about what kinds of container donations we accept. 

To go with that, we’ll give you a $5 reward for every 20 quality, clean containers that we accept. 

What are upcycled containers?

Upcycled containers are used bottles and jars that have been cleaned and sanitized for a second life, rather than being discarded or recycled. Almost all of these containers start as community donations, and they are an essential part of our business. 

Why these changes?

We've found that while community donations are wonderful, we need to adjust our approach to ensure we're accepting containers that align with our product needs and minimize waste from unusable items. This new system will:

• Help us be even more efficient with our resources (time, labor, water)

• Ensure we're offering the highest quality upcycled containers to you

• Provide a clearer understanding of what containers we can re-use

What's changing?

We're implementing a new system that rewards you for bringing in high-quality containers while weeding out low-quality containers that crack, break and can’t be effectively reused..

What kinds of containers do we accept? 

We're looking for containers that are:

• Sturdy materials: Aluminum, glass, or thick No. 1 or 2 plastic.

• Easy to clean and sanitize: Wide openings (at least a bottle brush), no complicated ridges or angles, and labels that come off cleanly.

• Aesthetically pleasing: No dents, damage, or discoloration, and they look good on a shelf.

• Practical size: Not too large or too small.

• Quality components: Durable lids, pumps, sprayers, etc.

• Examples: Mason jars, dish soap squeeze bottles and Califia Farms almond milk bottles are great examples of a high-value containers

What kinds of containers do we NOT accept?

• Plastic drink bottles (water, soda, etc.)

• Containers that are too small (like pill bottles) or too big (like cat litter containers)

• Flimsy plastic

• Lids that leak or don't seal well

• Containers with persistent odors (like some Gain Laundry or Lysol cleaning containers, even if otherwise good)

Our New Intake Process & Rewards:

When you bring in containers, our trained staff will assess them for their value. 

To be accepted, containers must be clean and dry.

For every accepted high-value container, you'll receive a punch on your new punch card.

We may have to deny donations based on our inventory too. 

Earn a $5 credit for every 20 accepted containers!

We believe these changes will create a more sustainable and rewarding program for everyone. We're excited about the positive impact this will have and look forward to continuing to provide you with unique, upcycled options.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.