Categories and add-ons

What happens to the items Ridwell collects?

We work with a variety of speciality recyclers and local community programs to responsibly recycle and reuse your items. You can read more about our partners and our landfill diversion rates on our…

updated 3 yrs ago
16,956
Categories and add-ons

Who are the partners you work with?

We work with a variety of specialty recyclers, local nonprofits, and community programs to responsibly recycle or reuse your stuff. If you visit the What We Take section of our site,…

updated 3 yrs ago
4,542
Categories and add-ons

What is automatically included with my membership for each pickup?

Every two weeks we'll pick up our core categories plus a featured category that changes with each pickup - just make sure you’re opted in! You can find out which featured categories are coming up or…

updated 2 yrs ago
36,924
Categories and add-ons

What are add-ons and how do I add them to my pickup?

We offer a suite of additional categories that you can add to any regularly scheduled pickup. Add-ons have a fee to cover pickup and processing costs, and can be added up to 8pm the night before your…

updated 2 yrs ago
42,638
Categories and add-ons

How do I find out what items you take in each category?

The best way to find what items we take is to check your member dashboard or visit our categories page. The categories and items we can take vary by location and plan type,…

updated 2 yrs ago
46,901
Categories and add-ons

What do you take in plastic film?

“Plastic film” is the thin, flexible, and scrunchable plastic that seems to pop up absolutely everywhere. Luckily, our partner, Trex, can turn your tricky plastic film into composite decking!…

updated 2 yrs ago
25,229
Categories and add-ons

Do labels or stickers need to be removed from plastic film?

Thanks for checking and great news: nope! We can take plastic film items with stickers/labels or a bit of label residue on them. No need to remove the labels or cut them out before adding the item…

updated 3 yrs ago
23,868
Categories and add-ons

What is multi-layer plastic?

Multi-layer plastic is a core category available to Ridwell members on our Plastic Plus and Unlimited plans. Multi-layer plastic is crinkly, thick packaging that often contains food like chips, nuts,…

updated 10 mths ago
12,507
Categories and add-ons

What’s the difference between multi-layer plastic and plastic film?

Click here to download or print this guide! Plastic film is the thin, stretchy plastic you find in bubble wrap, plastic shipping envelopes, and grocery bags.…

updated 2 yrs ago
9,626
Categories and add-ons

I just upgraded my membership plan - when will I receive a bag for multi-layer plastic?

When you upgrade from a Classic plan to a Plastic Plus or Unlimited plan, we will drop off a cloth Ridwell bag for multi-layer plastic during your next pickup.…

updated 2 yrs ago
1,905
Categories and add-ons

What do you take in threads?

In most areas* we have two different Threads bags - a cloth one for recyclable threads and a clear plastic one for rewearable clothing and shoes. Here are some examples of items we can take:…

updated 3 days ago
21,036
Categories and add-ons

What kinds of batteries do you take?

*Availability of battery pickup varies by neighborhood* We can take almost any type of battery, as long as it’s small enough to fit into the Ridwell “Batteries” bag! For safe storage,…

updated 1 yr ago
9,708
Categories and add-ons

Do I need to tape my batteries?

*Availability of battery pickup varies by neighborhood* Yes, please use electrical tape, clear packing tape, or duct tape to cover the terminals and contacts of your batteries to prevent them from…

updated 1 yr ago
14,921
Categories and add-ons

How should I store my batteries between pickups?

*Availability of battery pickup varies by neighborhood* Please store your batteries in a cool, dry place away from anything that can catch fire. Only put your batteries into your Ridwell bag after…

1 yr ago
2,574
Categories and add-ons

What kinds of light bulbs do you take?

We can take almost any type of household light bulb, as long as it’s small enough to fit into the Ridwell “Light bulbs” bag! You can see an overview with pictures of the kinds of light bulbs we can…

updated 2 yrs ago
4,955
Categories and add-ons

What is Ridwell’s “featured category”?

Every pickup, we collect a featured category in addition to your core categories. We partner with a variety of local organizations to feature your favorite re-use categories – like kitchenware and…

updated 1 yr ago
34,970
Categories and add-ons

How do I choose my featured category?

Every pickup, we collect a featured category in addition to your core categories. We partner with a variety of local organizations and specialty recyclers to feature your favorite re-use categories –…

updated 1 yr ago
12,775
Categories and add-ons

Who are Ridwell's featured category partners?

For our featured categories we work with a variety of awesome local partners, including nonprofits, community programs, artisans, and specialty recyclers.…

updated 3 yrs ago
3,055
Categories and add-ons

Can I include any featured category items any time, or only when it’s the specific featured category for a pickup?

Some of our featured categories are seasonal and rotate between pickups, and others are always available for you to choose from. You can only select one featured category at a time when you opt in…

updated 2 yrs ago
8,045
Categories and add-ons

Do you pick up Styrofoam?

Styrofoam (also known as expanded polystyrene or EPS foam) is one of our most popular categories. You’ll receive a 45-gallon orange bag to collect Styrofoam when we first drop off your Ridwell bin.…

updated 1 yr ago
10,079
Categories and add-ons

What kinds of Styrofoam do you take?

The types of Styrofoam that we can take vary by location, depending on our local recycling partners. The best way to check what items we can take in your area is to go to our Categories page.…

updated 2 yrs ago
7,742
Categories and add-ons

How do I request additional orange Styrofoam bags?

When you add Styrofoam onto a pickup, we’ll replace the bag we pick up with a new, empty one! You are always welcome to bag up extra Styrofoam in large garbage bags - just be sure to let us know how…

updated 10 mths ago
3,256
Categories and add-ons

What is the orange bag in my bin for?

A 45-gallon orange bag for Styrofoam will be included in your bin when it's dropped off! Styrofoam is included in our Unlimited membership plan and available as an add-on for members on our Classic…

updated 2 yrs ago
9,851
Categories and add-ons

Where is clear plastic clamshell service available?

Clear #1 PET plastic clamshell service is currently only available in limited areas. Check below to see if clear plastic clamshells are available in your area.…

updated 4 mths ago
17,965
Categories and add-ons

What is the blue bag in my bin for? (Limited areas only)

Clear plastic clamshells are only available in limited Ridwell service areas. Check our clamshell service areas list to see whether you are eligible for clamshell pickups.…