Material Dropoff

What You Can Bring to the Innovation Barn for Recycling & Reuse

At the Innovation Barn, we are committed to keeping valuable materials out of the landfill by recycling and repurposing them for a second life. Below is a detailed guide on what you can bring and where to drop it off:

 Items Accepted for Recycling & Reuse at the Barn

Barn T-Shirts Collection

  • Donate gently used T-shirts that will be repurposed or upcycled for creative projects.

 Clean #5 Plastic (Polypropylene) Collection

  • Accepted: Rigid #5 plastic items, such as yogurt containers, takeout containers, and other polypropylene products.

  • Must be clean & dry before dropping off.

PakTech Carriers (Plastic Can Holders for Beverages)

  • We collect PakTech plastic can carriers used for holding 4-packs or 6-packs of cans.

Donations for The Bulb Market

The Bulb Market, a cherished partner at the Innovation Barn, collects specific reusable items for use in their pop-up mobile markets that provide fresh food to the community.

Accepted Items must be cleaned:
Clamshell berry and salad containers. Lids must be attached.
Egg cartons (any material) – 12 count egg size only
Plastic bags & reusable shopping bags

 Drop-Off Instructions:

  • Place these items in The Bulb’s collection bins during open hours.

  • Important: Please ensure these items go in the correct bins to prevent contamination of other recycling streams.

Mecklenburg County Recycling Partnership

We also provide bins for standard curbside recycling items through our partnership with Mecklenburg County. Bins are located on the Seigle Ave. side of the building. 

Specialty Recycling Bins:
Yellow Bin – Glass Recycling Only
Blue Bin – Mecklenburg County Curbside Recyclables (paper, cardboard, metal cans, cartons, glass, plastic bottles with necks)
Rigid Styrofoam Bin – For clean, rigid, hard, white styrofoam (NO packing peanuts or food-soiled foam)

❗ Important Reminders

🚫 No food residue on plastics or recyclables – Please rinse before donating.
🚫 Do not contaminate collection bins with non-approved items.
🚫 No plastic film, flexible plastic packaging, or items that are not listed above.

No Dumping materials on the property.  If you don’t know where something goes, come during open hours and ask someone. 

Thank you for helping us keep valuable materials in circulation!