Recycle your used deodorant

The Sustainability Initiative at Coastal Carolina University was asked to participate in a nationwide Deodorant Stick Recycling Program through Funding Factory, the same company that accepts the university’s used ink cartridges.

Funding Factory asked only 50 organizations to participate in the pilot program based on their recycling record with the ink cartridges. In the last 12 months, Coastal Carolina University ranks third out of 233 colleges that participate in recycling used ink cartridges, having recycled more than 2,600 pounds of ink cartridges, toners and cell phones.

The Deodorant Stick Recycling Program will take place until May 31. Coastal Carolina University has the chance to win $1,000 for recycling the most deodorant sticks through this pilot program. 

In addition to Funding Factory, the program is in partnership with Unilever, Earth 911 and NextLife. The deodorant sticks will be recycled with a company called NextLife that will clean the plastic and convert it to a sustainable resin and may eventually be made into new deodorant sticks. 

“This pilot program partnership with Funding Factory empowers our University to responsibly recycle something untraditional, such as deodorant sticks,” said Jennifer Sellers, sustainability coordinator. “Recycling is such a huge part of our campus culture that I believe our University will embrace this new program and help support it.”

You can recycle any brand of plastic deodorant sticks. Stick, roll-on and gel are acceptable. This program does not accept aerosol cans. Collection boxes are located in the locker rooms for men’s basketball and women’s basketball, as well as the men’s and women’s locker rooms in Campus Recreation in the HTC Center. Contact the Sustainability Initiative office at 843-349-5041, if you are interested in participating.