Target Customers Respond to New Recycling Program

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About one year into Target’s new recycling initiative, the results seem pretty impressive. In the first nine months alone, the store collected 170 shopping bags and 700 tons of bottles and cans. Target’s program also includes ink cartridges and small electronics, the latter of which were recycled to the tune of two million units in the same time period. That breaks down to about 90 units a month per store. The electronics component of the program is particularly interesting because it indicates that Target has caught onto the idea of using convenient dropoff as a way to draw more consumers into its stores, adding yet another twist to the emerging interplay between retailers, consumer products and recycling.

About one year into Target’s new recycling initiative, the results seem pretty impressive. In the first nine months alone, the store collected 170 shopping bags and 700 tons of bottles and cans. Target’s program also includes ink cartridges and small electronics, the latter of which were recycled to the tune of two million units in the same time period. That breaks down to about 90 units a month per store. The electronics component of the program is particularly interesting because it indicates that Target has caught onto the idea of using convenient dropoff as a way to draw more consumers into its stores, adding yet another twist to the emerging interplay between retailers, consumer products and recycling.

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Target launched its program last April 6 for Earth Day, with the installation of recycling stations at its 1,740 stores. In addition to the aforementioned items, the company also accepts used eyeglasses, and it provides a five-cent rebate for using reusable bags. The eyeglasses are simple enough (you’ve probably seen the Lions Club dropoff boxes around for years), but generally speaking in-store recycling can be a tricky enterprise. It can involve some expense for retailers, primarily assigning staff to sort misplaced, soiled or inappropriate items, and to keep the recycling station tidy. In-store recycling can also expose the retailer to the vagaries of the recycling market. However, in terms of promotion and customer relations, recycling is a big plus. As recycling becomes more mainstream, more consumers are going to expect retailers to accommodate recycling, and to provide the convenience of in-store dropoff.

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