Jarden Corporation was once one of the largest consumer products companies in the world, producing household names like Mr. Coffee, Oster, Coleman, and Ball canning jars. While the company was acquired by Newell Brands in 2016, millions of Jarden-manufactured products remain in homes today. When these items reach the end of their lifespan, knowing how to recycle them properly is essential for reducing landfill waste and protecting the environment.
Recycling Jarden products can be complex because the company produced everything from electronic appliances to glass jars and plastic containers. Each material requires a different disposal method. This guide provides a comprehensive look at how to identify, sort, and recycle products from the Jarden family of brands effectively.
Understanding the Jarden and Newell Brand Connection
Before looking for specific recycling instructions, it is helpful to know which brands fall under the Jarden legacy. Because Jarden is now part of Newell Brands, many recycling programs are now managed under the Newell corporate umbrella. If you are searching for manufacturer-led recycling initiatives, you should look for Newell Brands sustainability programs.
Common brands formerly under Jarden include:
- Kitchen Appliances: Mr. Coffee, Oster, Sunbeam, and FoodSaver.
- Home Environment: Holmes, Bionaire, and Patton.
- Outdoor Solutions: Coleman, First Alert, and Marmot.
- Home Crafts: Ball, Kerr, and Bernardin canning jars.
Recognizing these brands helps you narrow down whether an item should be treated as electronic waste, glass, or general plastic. Always check the bottom or back of your product for a brand logo to confirm its origin.
How to Recycle Small Kitchen Appliances
Many Jarden products are small kitchen appliances, such as coffee makers, blenders, and toasters. These items are considered e-waste (electronic waste) because they contain electrical components, power cords, and sometimes heating elements. You should never place these items in your standard curbside recycling bin.
To recycle small appliances like those from Mr. Coffee or Oster, follow these steps:
- Check for functionality: If the appliance still works, consider donating it to a local thrift store or charity. Reusing is the most effective form of recycling.
- Find an e-waste collector: Most municipalities have dedicated drop-off points for electronics. Check your city or county website for “Electronic Waste Collection Days.”
- Retailer take-back programs: Stores like Best Buy and Staples often have kiosks or customer service desks that accept small household electronics for recycling, regardless of where they were purchased.
- Remove glass components: If your coffee maker has a glass carafe or your blender has a glass jar, check if these can be recycled separately. However, be aware that many appliance glass types are tempered and cannot be recycled with standard glass bottles.
Recycling Ball and Kerr Glass Jars
Jarden was well-known for its home canning brands, Ball and Kerr. These glass jars are highly durable and are designed to be reused many times. However, if a jar chips or cracks, it must be disposed of or recycled properly.
The glass used in canning jars is typically soda-lime glass, which is the same material used in most food and beverage bottles. This means they are generally accepted in curbside recycling programs. Before placing them in the bin, ensure they are clean and free of food residue.
The metal lids and bands require different treatment:
- Canning Lids: The flat metal lids used for sealing are generally intended for one-time use in canning. They are made of tin-plated steel and can be recycled with other scrap metal or tin cans.
- Metal Bands: The screw-on rings are reusable. If they become rusted or bent, they can be placed in your metal recycling bin.
- Plastic Lids: If you use plastic storage lids for your jars, check the resin identification code (the number inside the triangle) to see if your local facility accepts that specific type of plastic.
Managing Plastic Products and FoodSaver Bags
FoodSaver is a popular Jarden brand that focuses on vacuum sealing. This involves both the machines and the specialized plastic bags used for storage. While the machines are treated as e-waste, the bags and rolls present a different challenge.
Most FoodSaver bags are made from a multi-layer construction to keep air out. This complexity often makes them difficult to recycle through standard curbside programs. However, Newell Brands has partnered with organizations like TerraCycle to provide specialized recycling solutions for these materials.
To recycle plastic storage items:
First, check for the recycling symbol on the bottom of plastic containers. Numbers 1, 2, and 5 are the most commonly accepted by local facilities. For specialized plastics like vacuum sealer bags, visit the TerraCycle website to see if there is an active “Newell Brands Recycling Program” that offers free shipping labels for these specific materials.
Recycling Coleman and Outdoor Equipment
Coleman products range from lanterns and stoves to coolers and tents. Because these items are built for durability, they often contain a mix of metal, plastic, and fabric. This makes them difficult to recycle as a single unit.
For metal camping stoves and lanterns, you should contact a local scrap metal yard. These facilities are equipped to break down the metal components. Ensure that all fuel is completely drained and that any pressurized tanks are handled according to local hazardous waste guidelines.
Coolers are typically made of a plastic shell with foam insulation. Most curbside programs do not accept coolers because the foam is difficult to separate from the plastic. If a cooler is still functional, donation is the best path. If it is broken, you may need to take it to a specialized bulky-item recycling center.
Finding Local Recycling Resources
Since recycling rules vary significantly by location, you need a reliable way to find instructions for your specific area. If you are unsure about a specific Jarden product, several online tools can help you find the nearest appropriate facility.
Useful resources include:
- Earth911: This website allows you to search by product type and zip code to find recycling locations near you.
- Call2Recycle: Primarily used for batteries and cell phones, this is helpful for cordless Jarden appliances or First Alert smoke detectors.
- Municipal Websites: Your local public works department is the final authority on what is accepted in your curbside bin versus what requires a special trip to a waste facility.
Always remember to clean and dry all items before recycling. Contamination from food or liquids can cause an entire batch of recyclable material to be sent to a landfill.
The Importance of Responsible Disposal
Taking the time to research Jarden recycling information helps conserve natural resources and reduces the energy required to manufacture new products. Many components in small appliances, such as copper wiring and aluminum, are infinitely recyclable and highly valuable in the manufacturing cycle.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you ensure that your household goods are handled with care even after they are no longer useful to you. Whether it is a Mr. Coffee machine or a set of Ball jars, every item kept out of a landfill contributes to a more sustainable future.
For more tips on maintaining your home and managing household goods, explore our other guides on SearchAndHelp.com. We provide straightforward answers to help you navigate everyday tasks with ease and confidence.