Staples introduces free backpack and school supply recycling program: See what items they accept

If you're wondering what to do with your child's torn backpacks and used school supplies they no longer need, Staples may have an answer for you.

The company announced Thursday it is partnering with Close The Loop to expand its existing recycling program to include backpacks and a variety of school supplies, becoming one of the only retailers in America where you can recycle backpacks and school supplies for free, according to a news release.

Under the existing program, customers could recycle items such as calculators, DVD players, fax machines and hard drives, among many others. Now customers are also able to recycle backpacks, glue sticks, rulers, markers and many more.

Staples said it will reward customers with a same-day $10 off $30 in-store coupon when they recycle their backpacks and school supplies, and Staples Easy Rewards members can also earn points each month by recycling for free by scanning the app when recycling.

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Products accepted for Staples backpack and school supply recycling

According to the news release, the following items are now accepted as part of the program's expansion:

• Backpacks
• Lunch bags
• Pencil pouches (soft and hard case)
• Writing instruments (pens, markers, pencils, crayons, highlighters)
• Rulers and similar items (protractors, triangles, etc. – wood, plastic, metal)
• Glue sticks and empty glue bottles
• Tech (calculators, headphones, ear buds, cables, USBs, etc.)
• Binders (regular and zipper – paper must be removed)

Sharp cutting instruments and other like items, such as scissors and Xacto knives, are not included in the program.

For a full list of what items can and cannot be recycled at Staples stores, visit the company's website.

Staples back-to-school deals

Staples is also currently offering customers some back-to school deals. Items on sale include:

• 20% off for Teachers - Offer valid in store only with app coupon and teacher ID.
• Crayola crayons - 24/ct for only 50¢. Limit 30. 
• Composition notebook - 9.75" x 7.5" for only 50¢. Limit 30. 
• Elmer's® Disappearing Purple Washable glue sticks - 12/pk for only $4.99.
• Expo® dry-erase markers - 4/pk for only $4.99.
• Sharpie® highlighters - 4/pk for only $2.49.
• BIC® Round Stic™ Xtra Life ballpoint pens - 10/pk for only $1.29.
• $300 off select computers
• Lenovo® IdeaPad® 5i 2-in-1 16" laptop with Intel® Core™ 5 Processor - 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD storage – regularly $849.99 but now available for $549.99.  Limit 2.
• LG 34" LCD monitor - available in select stores for only $249.99 – a total of $300 off. 
• Ticonderoga yellow #2 pencils - available for $3.99

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [email protected].