OUR METHODS
How to save a planet.
Our contribution to waste diversion is filling in the gaps where public utilities or private waste management companies do not. We have established an aggregate recycling and reuse facility that collects what no mainstream services can’t: e-waste, metal, hard-to-recycle plastics, foams, certain textiles, tires, and more.
We collect.
The Hub provides Greater Cincinnati residents and businesses with a variety of opportunities to utilize our recycling and reuse services. First, our facility is open three days a week for resident drop-offs: every Tuesday from 10-2, Thursday from 12–6, and Saturday from 10–2. Second, we have a vibrant outreach program that not only includes collections but also educational opportunities at many local Farmer’s Markets, 14 city-wide lithium battery drop-off locations, community-based collections or environmental events, and many more. Lastly, we provide fee-based pickup services to a wide variety of local businesses, including the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens and the Cincinnati Art Museum.
We process.
Processing methods come in almost as many forms as the materials we accept. For most plastic materials, hand sorting is necessary to provide clean streams to our downstream partners. For electronics, our volunteer Tinker Team determines if items are repairable. For TerraCycle materials, meticulous care of the program is maintained by our staff.
All items then must be packaged according to the downstream partners’ requirements which includes baling of plastic and densifying of styrofoam. Then all materials must be stored until the proper shipment amount has been attained.
We recirculate.
TO DOWNSTREAM PARTNERS
Once we have met the volume requirements, most the material we have collected, processed, and stored is then distributed to a thoroughly-vetted downstream partner. Sadly, there is a proliferation of bad actors in this space who claim to recycle responsibly but do not. For instance, poorly managed store drop-off programs have been found to simply go into landfills and many electronics “recyclers” illegally label and export e-waste to countries with less strict environmental laws. That is why the The Hub has a dedicated Research and Development Coordinator on staff who chooses our downstream partners based on their ethical practices, environmental impact, and emphasis on a circular and local economy.
TO THOSE IN NEED
Most, if not all, of the electronic items dropped off at the Hub are brought in as “junk”. Our first priority is to attempt to repair the e-waste. To that end, our Tinker Team is a dedicated group of volunteers who clean and service those unwanted electronics. Amazingly, they have a 55% success rate of fixing the “junk”! These items are then donated to New Life Furniture Bank and then provided to families in need.
IN OUR HUB SHOP
Items that are in good condition or that don’t qualify for our other recycling options are sold in our Hub Shop on the 4th floor of our building. Flower pots, egg cartons, fabric samples, styrofoam coolers, and collectors items are just some of the items that you’ll find for sale. Click here for more details, pricing information, and store hours!
