Recycling just a click away: apps to locate recycling points near your home

Everyday choices have the power to spark big changes in how we live and take care of our planet. Have you ever thought about recycling but didn’t know where to drop off your waste? You’re not alone! The good news is that this excuse is now a thing of the past. Today, there are apps that show you the closest recycling points and make the whole process so much easier. What once felt like extra work has turned into something as simple as unlocking your phone and tapping a few times. Suddenly, recycling feels natural, inspiring—even rewarding—instead of being just another “chore” like many of us grew up believing.

In this week’s article, we’re excited to share some mobile apps designed to simplify your recycling journey. Some of them even offer rewards for taking part! Stick with us until the end to discover which apps can help you out depending on where you live.

Apps Available in Latin America

Across Latin America, there are some really cool apps making recycling easier and more rewarding. Here are three standout examples we wanted to share with you:

1. Mexico — Ecolana
Ecolana offers a national map with thousands of collection centers, plus fun gamified challenges. By scanning or registering your recyclables, you can locate nearby drop-off points and complete tasks to earn rewards called “ecolanitas”—virtual money or points that can be exchanged for movie tickets, discounts, or prizes. The app is free to use and available on iOS and Android.
What’s more, Ecolana has teamed up with major brands like P&G, Walmart, Nestlé, and Pronatura under the campaign “Inspira el Cambio” (Inspire Change). By 2025, the app had already mapped more than 2,500 recycling centers nationwide and announced a strategic partnership with Tetra Pak to help strengthen the circular economy in Mexico.

2. Brazil — Cataki
Cataki is all about connection: it links everyday citizens with grassroots recyclers (known as catadores) who collect materials directly. This approach not only makes recycling more convenient but also promotes social inclusion by letting users negotiate service fees directly with recyclers.
Here’s how it works: you request a pickup through the app, the recycler accepts and sets the materials and area they’ll cover, and together you agree on payment. The app itself is free for users, while catadores earn income from both the service and selling the materials they collect. Cataki has even piloted pay-per-kilo programs through special initiatives. You can download it from Google Play or the App Store. By 2025, Cataki had earned awards like the WSA Brazil and continues to grow its recycler network.

3. Chile — Reciclapp
Reciclapp is a home pickup platform that connects households with urban recyclers, perfectly aligned with Chile’s Extended Producer Responsibility Law (REP). The process is simple: you schedule a pickup, a recycler collects the items, and then they sell the materials. The app also includes fun extras like discounts and rewards. Best of all, it’s free for users while creating a steady income stream for recyclers.

Apps Available in Europe

Europe has also jumped on board with some creative recycling apps that make it easier—and even fun—to do the right thing for the planet. Let’s take a look at three examples making waves:

1. Spain — RECICLOS (Ecoembes)
RECICLOS rewards people for recycling cans and plastic bottles in the iconic yellow container. Every time you scan a barcode and confirm your deposit, you earn points that can be redeemed for prizes or donated to social projects. The app is free to use, available on both Android and iOS, and also helps you find nearby RECICLOS bins. Instead of just tossing things away, you’re turning small actions into big community benefits.

2. United Kingdom — Recycling Locator (Recycle Now / WRAP)
This is more of a nationwide search tool than a traditional app, but it’s super handy. Recycling Locator lets you type in your postal code, choose the material, and instantly see what you can recycle at home—or where the nearest recycling centers are. It’s even available as a widget for websites. The service is completely free, funded by WRAP, a nonprofit supported by the UK government and major companies. With over 2.5 million sessions between August 2023 and June 2025, it’s clear people are using it on a massive scale.

3. Italy — Il Rifiutólogo (Hera Group)
Il Rifiutólogo may sound like a tongue twister, but it’s a go-to tool across many Italian towns. This app helps residents separate their waste properly, scan barcodes for guidance, locate collection points, and even report container issues. Using your GPS, it shows the nearest drop-off spot along with schedules. The app is free, funded by Hera (a major utility company), and has strong coverage across northern and central Italy.

Apps Available in the United States

The U.S. has plenty of recycling tools to make the process easier and more accessible. Here are three standout options worth checking out:

1. iRecycle (Earth911)
iRecycle has long been a go-to reference in the U.S. for recycling information. The app and search tool cover more than 350 materials with over 100,000 listings—offering an impressive 1.6 million “ways to recycle.” All you need to do is type in the material and your ZIP code, and you’ll instantly find nearby drop-off centers along with helpful articles and guides. The app is free, supported by Earth911 through content, partnerships, and services. You can download it directly from the official Earth911 website.

2. Recycle Coach
Recycle Coach works at the city and county level, helping residents stay on top of their local recycling rules. It provides personalized calendars, pickup reminders, and a handy “Recyclepedia” to check what goes where. Many state and municipal agencies across the U.S. use it—for example, Illinois EPA in 2025. The app is free for individual users (with a freemium model) and is licensed to municipalities and states. It’s like having your own recycling assistant in your pocket.

3. Call2Recycle (Batteries)
Focused specifically on batteries, Call2Recycle is a nonprofit program that helps people recycle batteries safely across the country. Just enter your ZIP code, and the app shows authorized drop-off locations—often big retailers like Home Depot or Lowe’s, depending on your area. The service is completely free to the public, funded by producers through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs and other partners.

A Global Option

TrashOut
TrashOut is a global app that helps track illegal dumps and locate recycling bins or collection centers by type of material. Anyone can add new points, making it a collaborative tool for communities everywhere. It’s available on iOS, Android, and the web.
How it works: you can filter by material type, container size, or schedule, and even get integrated navigation to the site. The app is free to use and works with NGOs and cities around the world, including Let’s Do It World and World Cleanup Day (WCD).

How Are We Making Recycling Go Mainstream Without Feeling Like a Chore?

If you’re curious about how these initiatives spread and stick over time, here are some of the strategies driving their success:

Gamification and local rewards: challenges, raffles, donations, and real benefits that turn recycling into something engaging and human.
Home pickup and social inclusion: making recycling easy for households while ensuring fair opportunities for collectors.
Hyperlocal info and reminders: fewer doubts and confusions mean more consistent participation.
Open data and impact tracking: sharing information makes problems visible and helps governments set priorities.

Today, thanks to the connectivity in our phones, recycling has stopped being a complicated chore and has become a habit we can weave into daily life. These tools don’t just provide clear, accessible information—they also help younger generations understand that caring for the planet is natural and necessary, not something forced or only “worth it” if there’s a prize at the end. Yes, some apps use rewards and gamification, but the real value lies in recognizing that every bottle, battery, or package we recycle adds up in protecting our environment. The challenge now is to make recycling part of our culture, based on awareness and collective commitment—not just incentives.