Urban Recyclers Inc. — Repair Our World, One Community at a Time

2014

Established

Our Story

Born from a childhood dream to heal the planet.

Urban Recyclers Inc. is a trusted nonprofit with a mission to help save our planet through precise and proper recycling — eliminating a huge percentage of recyclable waste from entering landfills.

Established in 2014, we were founded for the sole purpose of helping veterans, the homeless, and every working-class family looking to supplement their income by collecting and redeeming cans and bottles.

We strive to make it possible for every collector to have a safe haven — a place where they are welcomed into a family that upholds integrity, honesty, understanding, respect, and above all, compassion.

♻️ Proper Recycling 🤝 Human Dignity 🏘️ Community First 💚 Zero Landfill

"Together we are stronger. Together we can save the environment, one neighborhood at a time. Let's embark on making our planet and environment green again!"

During tough and uncertain times, people need more than ever a place where they feel welcomed and respected. Urban Recyclers Inc. guarantees that when you redeem with us, you are welcomed into a family that will work hard to make sure you are served with the highest standards and care.

Leadership

Meet the Founder

Carlton Burroughs

Founder, CEO & President

Carlton's journey began with a childhood vision — a world where communities are clean, where recyclable materials never end up in landfills, and where every person who collects bottles and cans is treated with dignity and respect.

After years of witnessing the impact of environmental neglect and economic hardship on communities, Carlton turned that vision into action. In 2014, he launched Urban Recyclers Inc. as a nonprofit redemption center with a simple promise: everyone is served with integrity, no exceptions.

His mission extends beyond recycling. Through Urban Recyclers, Carlton works to create jobs for veterans, provide a safety net for those experiencing homelessness, and prove that environmental responsibility and community compassion go hand in hand.

📞 Call Carlton ✉️ Send an Email

Education

Learn How to Recycle

Recycling the right way makes all the difference. Here's everything you need to know.

✅ What IS Recyclable

🥤

Aluminum Cans

Soda, beer, energy drinks — rinse and crush to save space. High redemption value.

🍶

Glass Bottles & Jars

Food and beverage glass. Rinse clean; remove lids before recycling.

🧴

Plastic Bottles (#1 & #2)

Water, soda, milk jugs, detergent. Check the recycling number on the bottom.

📦

Cardboard & Paper

Flattened boxes, newspapers, office paper — keep dry for full recyclability.

🥫

Steel & Tin Cans

Food cans, empty paint cans. Give them a quick rinse before recycling.

📰

Magazines & Mail

Glossy or plain paper — both are recyclable. Remove any plastic wrapping first.

🚫 What is NOT Recyclable

🛍️

Plastic Bags

They jam sorting machines. Return to store drop-off programs instead.

🍕

Greasy Pizza Boxes

Oil contaminates recycling. Tear off the clean top; trash the greasy bottom.

☕

Paper Coffee Cups

The plastic lining makes them non-recyclable. Switch to a reusable cup.

🧃

Juice Boxes

Multi-layer packaging can't go in standard bins — check local drop-off programs.

💊

Medical / Hazardous Waste

Sharps, medications, batteries require special disposal programs — never in recycling.

🪟

Broken Glass / Windows

Different composition than bottles. Wrap carefully and place in trash.

📋 Step-by-Step: How to Recycle Properly

1

Rinse your containers

A quick rinse removes food residue that can contaminate other recyclables. No need to scrub — just rinse.

2

Remove caps and lids

Caps are often a different plastic type. Remove them and check if they're separately recyclable in your area.

3

Flatten cardboard boxes

Flattened boxes take up less space and are easier for sorting facilities to process.

4

Keep recyclables dry

Wet paper and cardboard break down and become unusable. Store your bin covered.

5

When in doubt — leave it out

Placing non-recyclables in the bin can contaminate an entire load. Ask us if you're unsure.

6

Redeem CRV bottles & cans with us

California Redemption Value bottles and cans have real cash value. Bring them to Urban Recyclers Inc. and get paid for doing the right thing.

Have questions about what's recyclable in your area?We're here to help — no question is too small.

Ask Us Directly →

Our Mission

Reducing landfill waste.
Restoring human dignity.

♻️

Environmental Recovery

We reduce the amount of recyclable materials ending up in landfills through precise, proper recycling techniques.

🤝

Helping People Rise

Helping veterans and the homeless get back on their feet — one redemption at a time.

🏘️

Cleaner Neighborhoods

Together we heal — one neighborhood, one family, one block at a time.

Real Impact

See What We're
Fighting For

Every neighborhood deserves to be clean. Every person deserves to be seen. This is what Urban Recyclers looks like in action.

146M

Tons landfilled per year in the US

69%

Of recyclables still end up in landfills

$0

Cost to start recycling with us

You

Can be part of the solution

A Call to Action

Let's come together as a community.

Now more than ever, we need to come together and implement the things that will make us stronger — leaving our children a more sustainable, economically viable, and cleaner place to live.

Your support will help secure a warehouse, create jobs for veterans, help the homeless get back on their feet, and return dignity to the communities we serve.

📞 718-213-7439 ✉️ Email Us

Get In Touch

Join Us Today

Help us reach our goal of zero recyclable waste in landfills.

📞

Phone

718-213-7439

✉️

Email

info@urbanrecyclers.org

📍

Location

Redemption Center Coming Soon
Check back for our official address