Packaging and Reuse Guide

Our current grocery systems not only generate way too much packaging waste, they put the burden of disposing that waste on the consumer. That's not how we roll at Full Circle.

Any packaging we send to you, we will take back—for reuse whenever possible or for recycling when not. 

This includes the bag your order was delivered in as well as any bags, cartons, jars, or bottles we gave you. Leave the packing slip on your order bag so we know it's yours, and we'll use that same bag for your next order. 

We are not currently accepting any packaging that we didn't send you in the first place. Below are a few suggestions for what to do with items people commonly ask if we can accept. 

Paper bags –

Avoid paper bags from stores and restaurants in the first place whenever you can, but if you do acquire them, you can try sneaking them back to the place you got them. They can also be recycled or composted.

Egg cartons –

Our suppliers can reuse their own containers, but we aren't able to reuse cartons from other producers. You can try giving them away to someone who has backyard hens (ask vendors at the farmer’s market, list them on Facebook Marketplace, etc.). Cardboard cartons can be recycled or composted. Avoid buying eggs packaged in styrofoam, which is resource-intensive to produce and very difficult to dispose of  responsibly.

Glass jars – 

While we aren't able to accept used jars that we didn't send you, we do gladly accept donations of brand new mason jars for use in our pantry exchange program.

Soap bottles – 

Our soap bottle supply is overflowing, so we are not taking bottles other than those we sent you. Most soap bottles and jugs are #1 or #2 plastic and can be recycled through curbside recycling programs (or through Full Circle's recycling program if you don't have curbside service). Please make sure to rinse them out before putting them in the recycling bin. You will also need to throw away the lids/pumps or bring them to us to TerraCycle. 

Plastic containers – 

We can reuse clamshells from our producers and honey containers from T Creek Bees, so send those back to us. We unfortunately can’t use any others, so reuse if you can. Recycle if you cannot (clamshells aren't accepted in Shawnee County's curbside program, but you can recycle them at our shop through our Premium Recycling Service or TerraCycle program).

Thanks for working with us to find better solutions to the packaging problem!