Americans are spring cleaning - but most recycling bins can’t handle the clutter

TRENTON, NJ (May 20, 2026) -  It's that time of year again—when the clutter has piled up so much you're contemplating charging it rent. You're staring down three junk drawers, a pile of mystery cords for devices you no longer own, half-used beauty products you swore you'd use, and that well-loved toy that your kids have grown out of.

The easiest move? Toss it all in the trash. But that means everything ends up in a landfill or incinerator – even items that could have a second life. If you're like the 80% of Americans who would rather clean than do their taxes, according to the American Cleaning Institute, TerraCycle has recycling solutions to de-stress your decluttering. TerraCycle has recycling solutions that keep your clutter out of the waste stream. Whether it's through free brand-sponsored programs or a Zero Waste Box™, TerraCycle offers simple ways to recycle waste that doesn't belong in your curbside bin. No guesswork. No overthinking.

'Spring cleaning is the perfect moment to rethink what we throw away,' said Tom Szaky, Founder and CEO of TerraCycle. 'A lot of the items people toss in the trash bin—cosmetics, worn clothes, broken toys—can be recycled through TerraCycle solutions.'

Bathroom Chaos? Clear Your Medicine Cabinet and Beauty Drawer

Expired makeup, empty toothpaste tubes, ointments, creams, and medicine bottles are filling your cabinets. It adds up fast, and most of it can't go in your recycling bin. But it can still be recycled, keeping it out of landfills and incinerators.

●      Home Healthcare Free Recycling Program – Recycle all non-aerosol Opella Consumer Healthcare products including ACT®, Allegra®, Arthritis Hot®, Aspercreme®, Capzasin®, Cortizone-10®, Dulcolax®, Gold Bond®, Icy Hot®, Nasacort®, Selsun Blue®, Sportscreme®, Unisom®, Xyzal®, and Zantac 360®.

●      Murad Free Recycling Program – Recycle all Murad skincare packaging.

●      Beauty Products and Packaging - Zero Waste Bag – Recycle all brands of empty beauty products and packaging, no rinsing required.

●      Oral Care Waste and Packaging - Zero Waste Pouch - Recycle any brand of oral care waste.

●      Bathroom Separation - Zero Waste Box - Recycle almost anything in your bathroom that isn’t typically accepted through curbside programs.

Closet Cleanout? Don’t Trash the “Maybe” Pile

Not everything is donation-ready, but that doesn’t mean it belongs in the trash. TerraCycle can help give worn clothing and fabrics a new life through specialized recycling solutions.

●      Carter's Baby & Kid Clothing Free Recycling Program – Recycle well-loved clothing

from any brand at participating stores.

●      GOLDTOE® Socks Free Recycling Program – Recycle used, clean GOLDTOE socks.

●      Fabrics and Clothing Zero Waste Box – Accepts all brands of clothing, fabric, and textiles.

Toy Overload? We See You

If your home has outgrown toys, a missing puzzle piece or that electronic dinosaur that won’t turn off, you have options.

●      Spin Master Free Recycling Program – Accepts all Spin Master toys, games, and packaging.

●      VTech & LeapFrog Free Recycling Program – For VTech & LeapFrog electronic learning toys.

●      Hasbro Free Recycling Program – Recycle Hasbro toys and games.

●      Toys Zero Waste Box – Accepts all brands of broken, outgrown, or well-loved toys.

Finished Spring Cleaning? Recycle Your Cleaning Supplies

You did the work, now finish strong. The cleaning supplies—used mop pads, empty spray bottles, worn scrubbers—can be recycled instead of thrown in the trash.

●      Cleaning Supplies and Accessories Zero Waste Box – Designed for items like scrub brushes, mop heads, gloves, and other cleaning tools.

TerraCycle recycles the “unrecyclable” products and packages that typically end up in landfills and incinerators. Partnering with major brands to offer free National Recycling Programs for items like beauty empties, oral care products, toys, cleaning supplies, and so much more. Participants collect waste at home and either drop it off at a participating retailer or ship it to TerraCycle with a prepaid label. For waste streams not covered by a free program, Zero Waste Box offers a paid solution for households, schools, businesses, and communities, with boxes designed for a specific type of waste, from textiles to cleaning supplies. All compliant waste is recycled into raw materials used to manufacture new products.

To shop Zero Waste Box solutions, visit shop.terracycle.com. To learn more about TerraCycle and its recycling programs, visit terracycle.com.

About TerraCycle

TerraCycle is an international leader in innovative sustainability solutions, creating and operating first-of-their-kind platforms in recycling, recycled materials, and reuse. Across 18 countries, TerraCycle is on a mission to rethink waste and develop practical solutions for today’s complex waste challenges. The company engages an expansive multi-stakeholder community across a wide range of accessible programs, from Fortune 500 companies to schools and individuals. To learn more about TerraCycle and join them on their journey to move the world from a linear economy to a circular one, please visit www.terracycle.com.