Our philosophy: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Repurpose, Redistribute, then Recycle.

Now open on Sundays from 10:00 am-1:00 pm except on holidays.

Pick up a complete list of acceptable materials at the Beyond Curbside shed or view the list below. NOTE: We are no longer accepting styrofoam at this time.

Our UUCV Green Team maintains a “Beyond Curbside” Reuse collection program in a small shed on the Southwest corner of our paved lower parking lot. Beyond Curbside’s mission is to reduce waste and give our cast-offs a higher purpose. We offer a place to collect specific reusable items for donation to local non-profit organizations. Our volunteer sustainability “Angels” sort materials and/or deliver them for reuse, up-cycling or local recycling.

Slots on the North side of the building are open for donations on Sundays during shed hours. If the door is open, it means a volunteer is present to help and answer your questions. The door to the building is locked during the week.

Here’s how you can help:

1. Use your Big Blue curbside recycling bin where you live. (Never put plastic film or glass in the bin).
2. Bring additional recyclables (that don’t go in Big Blue) to our Beyond Curbside Shed during our open hours to drop in the numbered slots.
3. For plastics…
   • Find the recycle symbol on the bottom of your item and circle it with a marker.
   • Match the number inside the symbol to the signs above the slots and drop your item in the corresponding slot.
4. A suggested donation of $3 per bag, helps pay the charges we incur for transporting and processing some materials.

If the shed door is locked and no monitor is present but the slots are open, you are free to drop your items in the appropriate slots.

Our list of accepted materials is subject to change over time. Check out the signage to see what other materials we accept. If you have questions, ask the shed monitor or email beyondcurbside@uucvan.org.

We welcome and train new volunteers – please join us! Our volunteer “Sustainability Angels” sort or deliver materials for reuse, up-cycling, or local recycling.

Beyond Curbside FAQs

Q. Can I bring all my recycling to UUCV?

A. Although you will see several Waste Connection recycling carts and trash bins near the Beyond Curbside Recycling Station, those bins are for trash generated at UUCV only. We cannot handle the quantity of everyone’s personal trash and recycling.

Q. What can I recycle curbside?

A. Visit the Waste Connections website to find out what you can recycle curbside. Some of what we collect (plastic planting pots, aluminum cans, and scrap metal) can be recycled curbside but when you bring those materials to Beyond Curbside, we aim for the safest and highest purpose end-use we know of.

Q. Why does everything have to be so clean?

A. Clean materials keep your Big Blue cart and our UUCV recycling station odor-free and pest-free. Soil on plastics, grease on paper, etc can contaminate nearby materials or interfere with successful re-processing. Clean material is respectful of the humans who have to handle it so please be sure all items you recycle anywhere are CLEAN with no food residue. Clean is kind and makes for a higher quality batch of recycling resource material, resulting in more money for Clark County and insures that no batches are rejected. It’s a little more work, but a winning proposition for the interdependent web. When in doubt, throw it out.

Q. Where can I take plastic film?

A. Most grocery stores have a bin near the entrance to collect used, clean grocery bags and other plastic film, including bubble wrap. (Tip: if it stretches, it’s recyclable) Please do not EVER put it into Big Blue – it wreaks havoc with the recycling process.

Q. Do I need to remove labels and stickers from plastic?

A. No, but it does help. A lot of hitchhiking materials can gum up the recycling process and lower the quality of the raw material. If you can cut out or remove all labels, tapes, paper, etc from plastic film, clamshells, and styrofoam, the remaining plastic will be a better quality for remanufacturing. If that feels above and beyond what you’re willing to do, the recycling process will be able to handle it.

Q. Where else can I recycle clean, clear #1 plastic clamshells?

A. New Seasons Market is accepting these.

Q. Is all plastic recyclable?

A. No. There has to be a buyer for a type of plastic for it to be recyclable. Also, some plastic materials are so toxic that manufacturing and recycling them is a health hazard for people and the environment. #3 and #7 plastics fall into this category. Please try not to buy items with these numbers on them.

Q. Where can I take additional materials for recycling?

A. Check out Clark County Environmental Services for additional places to take things for recycling. Posting on CraigsList or social media is a good way to dispose of used moving boxes and some other materials for reuse. Clark County Green Neighbors hosts occasional special recycling collections too.

Q. Where can I recycle household batteries?

A. We cannot accept batteries at Beyond Curbside but here is a list where free battery disposal is available. To prevent fires, be sure to tape both ends before you take them for recycling.

Important: Never store batteries inside equipment. Remove spent batteries from your devices promptly to prevent acid leakage. In order to store your batteries correctly, you should keep them in their original packaging or place them in a plastic container. Keep batteries in a cool location with low humidity and make sure they are aligned in the same direction.

Still have questions?

Contact beyondcurbside@uucvan.org. Tours for individuals or groups may be arranged by appointment.

Thank you for helping to save our natural resources for future generations.