Recyclebank has spent the past 10 years helping people set up community recycling programs all across the U.S. and United Kingdom. Now, on Earth Day, it is taking the plunge into e-commerce with One Twine, an online shop dedicated to eco-friendly products.
The new initiative, which launched Tuesday, was prompted by Recyclebank members, who wanted help finding products that were better for the planet, CEO Javier Flaim says.
New York-based Recyclebank sets up programs with community and school groups across country, helping them spur higher rates of household recycling—cans, cereal boxes, bottles, and the like. Participants earn points that they can redeem for discounts at select restaurants and retailers.
Anyone can shop through One Twine, but Recyclebank members can capture discounts by cashing in the points they’ve earned through the company’s community recycling programs.
The new e-commerce portal has close to 500 different products from some 45 brands including Greensprouts, Babo Botanicals, and WeWood. The items range from home cleaning supplies and shampoos to gadgets and watches. WeWood, for example makes watches out of reclaimed or recycled wood, Flaim says. Another brand, Preserve, makes toothbrushes from recycled yogurt cups.
“We have products for as low as $5 for a bag of dog treats,” Flaim says, “all the way to speakers made of bamboo that could cost more than $200.” Within the next 90 days, Flaim expects to see some 1,000 different products on sale through One Twine.
While the full catalog of products can always be perused, One Twine will also highlight weekly “employee picks” as well as seasonal items, Flaim says. The online shop may appeal, he says, to product makers who want a more selective and discerning customer base. “There are brands looking for a marketplace to sell their goods but don’t necessarily want to be in all places,” he says.
Flaim believes more consumers want to buy products that are better for the planet and healthier for the home. However, he also says there is some misperception about taking such action without paying more money for “green” goods. “I believe you can get better products that are better for the environment at parity with other products,” he says.
