Candy Wrappers
- DON’T put these wrappers into curbside recycling
- DO consider dropping-off these wrappers at a collection point. (see below)
About These Items
These wrappers encase most types of candies. They help keep candies fresh and clean in single-serving portions but the result is each serving you eat generates a throwaway wrapper. Candy wrappers are not accepted in the City of Pittsburgh’s curbside recycling. Due to their small size, light weight, and material variation, they generally aren’t desired or accepted in most recycling programs. So in general, candy wrappers should be placed in the trash.
To keep your candy wrappers out of the landfill, you can pay to send them to TerraCycle or check out various upcycling ideas (see below.)
If you want to reduce the amount of wrappers you generate, consider buying candy in larger sizes or in form factors where the pieces are not individually wrapped. This reduces the volume ratio of wrapper to candy.
REI is currently collecting snack wrappers including candy wrappers. See below for more information.
Recycle at REI through TerraCycle.
Subaru has partnered with REI to offer a TerraCycle snack wrapper recycling program at REI locations.
Currently (as of Feb. 2020) REI at South Side Works is collecting through this program. You can bring all snack wrappers including candy, chips, and granola to drop off in this box.
Upcycling as an alternative to landfilling.
Upcycling is one way to give new life to old candy wrappers. Upcycling is a term for turning old items into new items by modifying or recombining them. Pinterest is a great place to find all sorts of upcycling ideas, including upcycling for candy wrappers.
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