Earthub's volunteer-run Items to Keep Out of the Landfill Program is a circular economy system, collecting specific items locally for redistribution through reuse or unique recycling projects. My personal collection of prescription pill bottles in 2018 was the beginning, and since then, the initiative expanded to include many other items over the years. As news spread through social media, it became evident that there is a widespread desire to maximize reuse before resorting to landfill disposal.
The Earthub website launched in 2019, becoming a platform for sharing my passion for environmental awareness. Prior to this, I often found myself explaining the connections between environmentalism and consumption, or clarifying recycling guidelines to friends and family. Their stunned reactions were consistent: 'Brittanny, how do you know all of this?' to which I'd reply, 'How do you not know this?!' I shared what I knew, researched what I didn't, and actively posted on social media:
This social media post of pill bottles spread like wildfire across the world. No literally - I remember one email inquiry from New Zealand about where to drop-off pill bottles! The post reached nearly 150,000 Facebook accounts, and the feedback spoke volumes: people expressed a strong preference for easy options to reuse everyday items.
Maximizing Value through Reuse
Reuse lies at the heart of Earthub's mission. By extending the lifespan of products through creative reuse solutions, the program not only reduces waste but also conserves valuable resources. The collections of used, CLEAN pill bottles, are sent to a humanitarian relief organization (M25M) in Ohio - 150,624 pill bottles have been sent by Earthub. As popularity grew, the collection expanded to include a variety of items. At its peak, we managed nearly 150 drop-off locations across Canada and two in the United States. Volunteers play a crucial role in the Earthub initiative by hosting 'Earthub Bins' outside their homes, where locals can drop off specific items. To ensure smooth coordination and maintain security, we do not publicly post drop-off locations. Interested individuals who wish to bring items are encouraged to email us with their city for drop-off location details [environment@earthub.ca]
Volunteer Earthub Bins
Being based in Ottawa, my basement serves as the Earthub warehouse, offering us flexibility in the types of items we can collect due to storage space and volunteer support (and maybe the fact I find it completely normal to spend hours of my week sorting items). In other cities, volunteers typically focused on collecting pill bottles only, constrained by limited storage space and the logistical challenge of coordinating broader item collections. To streamline operations and minimize carbon footprint, pill bottles are shipped directly from their respective cities to Ohio, bypassing the need for transportation to Ottawa first.
In Ottawa, the items we collect for reuse are: prescription pill bottles, egg cartons, crayons, lip balm and glue stick tubes, mascara wands, and milk bags. It was amazing to see how we could maximize the value of these items and even distribute some of them locally to our neighbouring organizations!
Egg Cartons
Egg cartons are redistributed to local food banks and farmers who will them reuse them to distribute egg cartons in lower quantities. It is common for food banks to receive the egg cartons in large trays as opposed to the closeable cartons Earthub collects.
Earthub has recirculated 90,851 egg cartons into our local communities for reuse.
Crayons, Lip Balm and Glue Stick Tubes
Crayons, lip balm, and glue stick tubes are crafted into 'push-up crayons' by a dedicated Ottawa resident who includes them in Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes each holiday season. We connected in 2020, and she has since become not only an end user for these materials but also a valued Earthub volunteer and drop-off location. She is a pillar of our community, showing care for both our planet and those in need by sending out hundreds of shoeboxes each year!
Note that these items are not included in Earthub's official count due to logistical reasons. Depending on our volunteers' locations, it is more practical for these items to be dropped off directly to our end user, rather than being processed through the Earthub warehouse.
Mascara Wands
Mascara wands can be reused as brushes for tiny animals! Previously, we sent them to Wands for Wildlife in South Carolina. However, due to overwhelming response, they no longer accept this item. Despite this, we've noticed outdated social media posts still circulating about this initiative. Please refrain from sending mascara wands, as it places an unnecessary burden on volunteers who must sift through items that are no longer accepted (we know this all too well).
Wands for Wildlife website announcement
So instead, we reached out to other wildlife sanctuaries across Ontario and have successfully distributed small quantities to organizations that can reuse them!
Earthub has distributed 1068 mascara wands to wildlife rescues and/or sanctuaries for reuse.
Milk Bags
Milk bags are a flexible material that can be woven into mats by local community groups. These mats are then provided to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Earthub has collected 407,250 milk bags for community groups to reuse.
Flattened and counted Milk Bags Milk Bag Mats
What's Trending?
I often ponder whether sustainability and reuse were once a booming trend that has since dwindled, especially influenced by the world shutting down in 2020. Why do I say this?
Many zero-waste shops are closing their doors - not just a matter of supporting small businesses, but indicative of consumers opting for cheaper, more convenient products that are detrimental to our planet.
Sustainable content creators I followed for years have either become inactive or shifted their focus entirely. Names like Eco with Nico, The Green Mum, Sustainability Champions, Sustainably Zoe, Greentivist, Project Green, and others who influenced the beginning of my journey back in 2019.
Earthub experienced its highest volunteer turnout during the global shutdown, but since then, both volunteer numbers and item collections have significantly decreased.
From 2020 to 2022, individuals seemed to have 'more time' to care and contribute to the planet. This isn't a critique; our lives are busier than ever, and convenience often takes precedence. The reality is, the fight for the planet and everyday eco-anxiety can be incredibly draining.
The Rescue Mission
Earthub's Items to Keep Out of the Landfill Program remains active in Ottawa, Toronto, Kitchener, London, and Windsor, with a temporary summer collection underway in Kingston. We continue our efforts to collect and divert as many items as possible from landfills. However, one of our ongoing challenges is ensuring the cleanliness of these items.
As previously mentioned, at one point, we had nearly 150 drop-off locations, but maintaining cleanliness standards has been crucial. When items are not cleaned or do not meet our guidelines, it falls to our dedicated volunteers to address these issues. We hold no ill feelings (but rather, guilt) towards volunteers who choose to withdraw from the program due to these challenges - we understand completely.
Our volunteers contribute significant time and effort to process items, coordinate distributions, handle administrative tasks, and organize event attendance. It's essential that dirty or incorrect items are not being dropped off within our Program.
Incorrect/dirty items, dumping items on volunteers property, dirty pill bottles
The truth is, we are passionate about achieving this mission, but it can only be accomplished through collective effort. Our landfills are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of waste, underscoring the need to optimize ways to refuse or reuse wherever possible. At Earthub, we view the 650,000 items rescued as treasures. Our goal is to inspire others to recognize the value in what we already have and to demonstrate the myriad possibilities for reuse!
So let's keep collecting treasure! Email us for drop-off locations near you or if you want to get involved in our mission: environment@earthub.ca
Are you a company that wants to implement a circular economy framework at your workplace? Schedule a chat with Brittanny today! info@earthub.ca
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