Retailer Buy-Back Programs And Mail-In Recycling Services For Used Goods

Several U.S. retailers and specialized services offer programs that accept used items, providing financial incentives such as gift cards, store credits, or discounts. These initiatives cover a wide range of product categories, including electronics, clothing, automotive parts, and household waste. Participation generally involves bringing items to physical store locations or utilizing mail-in services, with varying requirements regarding item condition and membership enrollment.

Electronics and Technology Trade-Ins

Best Buy operates an expansive trade-in program for used technology and appliances. The program features rotating offers designed to incentivize upgrades, such as 20% off specific brands or discounts ranging from $30 to $150. Currently, the retailer accepts Windows 10 or other Windows PCs and used iPads for trade-in value.

Amazon offers a trade-in program for used tech items, including cell phones and gaming systems, in exchange for Amazon gift cards. Additionally, trading in specific devices like Fire TVs, Tablets, Kindles, Echos, and Ring cameras can yield a 20% discount on new items. Amazon accepts devices from brands such as Apple, Bose, Google, and Microsoft.

Target runs an electronics trade-in program that accepts smart watches, consoles, smartphones, and tablets in exchange for Target gift cards. Items can be dropped off at participating stores or mailed in for analysis. Target also conducts a limited-time annual car seat trade-in program, which historically runs from late April to early May. Participants in the car seat program receive a 20% discount on gear purchases for growing children.

Costco provides a tech trade-in program that accepts used phones, laptops, tablets, desktops, displays, media players, and smartwolves. The process involves receiving an instant quote and a shipping box. Costco notes that its team safely erases all data before recycling the device's materials. While the website mentions Apple products specifically, the program is broader in scope.

Apple accepts trade-ins for various devices, including old Apple Watches or iPhone 8s. The credit offered ranges from $50 for an iPhone 7 to $1,170 for a MacBook Pro. Users can schedule an appointment at an Apple Store or submit a trade online. If the user is not ready to purchase a new device immediately, Apple sends a gift card for the trade-in value.

Fashion and Apparel Recycling Programs

Madewell offers a denim recycling program where customers can trade in old jeans for a $20 shop credit. The program accepts any brand of jeans made from at least 90% cotton. The denim is either resold or recycled into housing insulation. Madewell also accepts other pre-loved clothing or accessory items for store credit, available for return in-store or via mail.

Eileen Fisher operates a buy-back program called Renew, offering a $5 Renew Reward for each branded clothing or accessory item returned. Items can be brought to local stores or mailed to the brand’s recycling center. The program accepts items in any condition; pristine items are resold, while others are recycled into new Eileen Fisher pieces. Participants are asked to wash items before bringing them in.

Lululemon’s Like New buyback program accepts trade-ins for store credit. Values vary by item, with $5 offered for men's shirts, skirts, and shorts, and up to $100 for heavy winter wear like 3-in-1 jackets and parkas. Since 2021, the program has processed over 1.7 million trade-ins.

The North Face offers a $10 coupon per item through its Renewed Take-Back program. Participation requires joining the free XPLR PASS rewards program. Items can be brought to local North Face locations, where they are either resold or recycled based on condition.

Patagonia’s Worn Wear program allows customers to trade in old items for store credit, ranging from $10 for kids' clothes and women's dresses to $100 for heavy winter wear. Items can be dropped off at local Patagonia stores or shipped using a $7 flat-rate shipping label provided by the program.

Automotive and Household Goods

Advance Auto Parts accepts used car batteries, providing a $10 incentive (issued as a gift card) when a customer brings back an old battery while purchasing a new one. This program addresses environmental concerns, as throwing away used car batteries is illegal in many areas due to harmful chemicals.

Mail-In Recycling and Waste Management Services

Ridwell and Trashie are two prominent paid services that facilitate the recycling of items not typically accepted in curbside collection.

Ridwell operates as a pickup service available in select metropolitan regions across seven states. It requires a monthly subscription, currently ranging from $14 to $24. Subscribers receive a collection bin and reusable bags for sorting items. Accepted materials include plastic film (bread bags, bubble wrap), multilayer plastic (chip bags, frozen-food packaging), textiles, light bulbs, clear plastic clamshells, Styrofoam, latex paint, and "threads" (fabric and shoes). Every two weeks, subscribers opt-in for pickup, and drivers replace full bags with empty ones.

Trashie offers a mail-in service utilizing "Take Back Bags." Users fill the bag with unwanted items and mail them in. The service promotes the recycling of clothing and other consumer waste.

TerraCycle is another recycling intermediary that offers mail-in bags for hard-to-recycle items. Retold and Pact are additional services mentioned, focusing on fabric and beauty empties, respectively.

Conclusion

Numerous retailers and specialized services provide opportunities for consumers to trade in or recycle used goods. Electronics retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and Costco offer credits for tech devices, while apparel brands such as Madewell, Eileen Fisher, Lululemon, The North Face, and Patagonia incentivize the return of clothing. Automotive retailer Advance Auto Parts accepts used batteries, and services like Ridwell and Trashie offer subscription-based solutions for recycling general household waste and textiles. These programs generally provide store credits, gift cards, or discounts, with options for in-store drop-off or mail-in processing.

Sources

1. Source 1
2. Source 2
3. Source 3