"Reuse is the highest form of recycling because finished products are revived and their productive purpose is extended," said Dan Knapp, founder of Berkeley's pioneering resell shop, Urban Ore.
This philosophy is a driving force at Green Life. Through our Take a Bag Leave a Bag Wall and Free Container Shelf, our amazing community—that's you!—transforms what could be waste into valuable resources. Every tote bag and container you donate keeps materials out of the wastestream while reducing the demand for new production when fellow refill enthusiasts put them to good use.
It's a beautiful cycle of giving that benefits everyone, especially our planet.
Making Your Donations Count
Here's where we need your expertise as thoughtful zero-wasters. The secret to successful reuse lies in quality—particularly when it comes to those pickle jars we all love to repurpose. While we carefully sanitize every donated container, some challenges (like that lingering dill pickle scent) require extra attention before donation.
Nobody wants their fresh lavender laundry detergent picking up unexpected flavor notes, even those people who drink the pickle juice do not want pickle scented laundry!
Your Donation Success Guide
Take a Bag Leave a Bag:
What we accept: Clean, sturdy and tear-free tote bags and reusable shopping bags
What we do not accept: Bags designed for single use (paper or plastic)
Container Donations - The Gold Standard:
- Material: Glass and metal containers only—sorry, no plastic
- Lids: Must have secure, tight-fitting lids (no pump, spray, or dropper tops)
- Cleanliness: Completely odor-free inside and out—caps included!
- Labels: Remove all labels and sticky residue (screen-printed labels are fine)
- Condition: Bone dry inside with no moisture or residual scents
- Drop-off: Bring to our sales counter during store hours for quick review
You're the Heroes of This Story
When you take that extra time to thoroughly clean your donations, you're not just following guidelines—you're ensuring these containers get a vibrant second (and often third and fourth) life. Your attention to detail means more successful reuse, less waste, and a stronger circular economy right here in our community.
Thank you for being the kind of thoughtful community members who make reuse not just possible, but truly impactful. Mother Earth is lucky to have advocates like you!
