Recycling the Tricky Bits…. There's finally an answer!

May 16, 2025

If you're like us, you'd love to recycle MORE. More items, more responsibly, more effectively. You think about all the packaging and convenience items that come in and out of your house (even as we all try to limit them) and feel awful when you think about them ending up in a landfill.

Sure, the blue bin is useful for lots of things. But what about stuff like

Batteries
Food storage bags from chips, granola bars, pet food, etc.
Plastic clamshell containers
Caps from recyclable bottles
Pill bottles
Lightbulbs
Worn out towels, dishrags, socks, or other textiles

Well, there's a new private company that's working to repurpose or recycle all the "tricky bits" that don't get recycled through the usual utility waste companies. They'll even take things like those little plastic tabs that hold the bread bag together. (whaaat!)

Your ramen packaging could become part of a new Trex deck, your candy wrapper could become part of a new drainage system, and your old batteries could become… new, reincarnated batteries!

Ridwell is a private recycling company that offers pickup services in the Bay Area. With a subscription ($18 - $24 a month) they'll come twice a week and ensure the most is made of your household waste.

All you need to do is a little extra sorting and cleaning, putting each item into a reusable Ridwell bag and setting them out for collection. They'll take care of the rest.