For years now, I’ve been recycling certain things at Staples. Primarily, I would bring back inkjet and laser printer cartridges for Staples to recycle. The cashier would scan my Staples Easy Rewards card and I would earn points. Eventually I would get enough that I would have savings to apply to my purchase, kind of like the cashback you get from shopping at Costco using their credit card or ExtraBucks Rewards at CVS. Now, you can recycle even more items at Staples and save more, too.
School Supplies Recycling and Savings at Staples
Staples just introduced its first backpack and school supply recycling program, adding to the list of already expansive products accepted within its free recycling program. In partnership with Close The Loop, Staples is one of the only retailers in America where you can recycle your backpacks and school supplies at no cost, making a significant impact on our environment.
Of course, I prefer to get as much life as I can out of my backpacks by buying brands that stand behind them. L.L. Bean used to offer a lifetime guarantee on its backpacks and more. Now it is one year only. However, Jansport has a great backpack warranty program. They’ve replaced two backpacks where the zipper stopped working.
Also, when shopping for back to school supplies, I always had my daughters shop at home first to see which of last year’s supplies we could reuse in the coming years. However, if we had anything too beat up to use again, it would have been great to have this Staples recycling option. Also, I miss Staples penny deals that they used to have. Finally, if you have items still in fairly good quality, consider donating them to a good cause.
What you can recycle at Staples
Here is a list of what Staples will accept for recycling:
- Backpacks
- Lunch Bags
- Pencil Pouches (soft and hard case)
- Writing Instruments (pens, markers, pencils, crayons, highlighters)
- Rulers and Similar Items (protractors, triangles, etc. – wood, plastic, metal)
- Glue Sticks and Empty Glue Bottles
- Tech (calculators, headphones, earbuds, cables, USBs, etc.)
- Binders (regular and zipper – paper must be removed)
Note: Sharp cutting instruments and other items (including scissors and Xacto knives) are not accepted.
Staples will reward customers with the same day $10 off $30 in-store coupon, when they recycle their backpacks and school supplies. Again, the coupon you get must be redeemed the same day, so have your shopping list ready.
There does not seem to be an expiration date on this recycling-for-a-coupon offer. So, if you can’t deal with thinking about going back to school yet, because your kids just finished school, it looks like you’ll have time to take advantage of this deal throughout the summer. If anything changes on that front, I’ll let you know.
Staples locations in Maine
As of right now, there are only a handful of Staples locations in Southern Maine. They are in:
- Auburn
- Biddeford
- Brunswick
- Falmouth
- North Windham
- South Portland
If you’re heading south into New Hampshire, there is a Staples right over the border in the Newington/Portsmouth area.
Free and Cheap Things To Do in Southern Maine
Here are FREE and cheap things to do in Southern Maine in the coming week.