You'd be amazed by the amount of coupons get thrown out in the recycle bin. Many couponers do weekly 'recycle walks' to search for coupons. It's a great way to get out and enjoy the fresh air and also get some exercise. (Always a plus after having a baby!)
If you live in an apartment building or complex, you can always look through the recycle area there and see what you can find. If they aren't locked, you might have a gold mine on your hands!
Some basic rules for recycle walking: Go late in the evening or early in the morning. The less people around the better. Be prepared to explain yourself! A lot of people get paranoid when they see someone rooting through their bins of paper, especially if they've thrown out credit or bank statements. You may have to tell someone what you are doing and assure them you only looking for coupons. Introduce yourself! You may make a new friend or your neighbour may even start saving coupons for you. If they ask you to move along, don't hesitate!
Always leave the bins the way you've found them (or better) as the recycling workers are notorious for refusing to haul away someone's recycling if their stuff is all mixed up and not separated properly. Bring some bags, a wagon, or anything else that you can use to haul your finds away. You may also need a flashlight depending on the time you go and it is always a good idea to bring some hand sanitizer as well!
Here are the things you should be on the lookout for during your walk:
- Nestlé Aeroplan Points - look for a green banner with an orange circle containing a number (the pin is inside the bag/box/ice cream container)
- Flyers (Smart Source, Red Plum, P&G) - usually people leave these in the papers, know what date they should be in
- Cereal Box coupons - there are always great promos on cereal boxes. Free Eggos, Free Bananas, $5 Gas Cards, Free Movie Passes, just to name a few
- Stouffers Bistro boxes - have codes that can be entered into their Stouffers Rewards program and redeemed for gift cards and free product coupons
- Magazines - Anything Canadian will generally have one or two coupons. Keep an eye out for coupon booklets that are sometimes loose
- Box Tops from Granola Bars/Taco Kits/Cookies, etc. - Often boxed products will have coupons inside or printed right on the box
- Icoke pins - found under the caps of Coke products and can be redeemed for various rewards
- Allens Apple Juice tins - look for specially marked labels that have Oasis coupons
- Beer Bottles/Cans - can be returned to The Beer Store for cash
- Aylmer Tomatoes - sometimes have coupons on the label
- Sunlight caps- have a pin you can enter online to win free Sunlight or BOGO coupons
- Beverage Tins - products like Nestea and Carnation Hot Chocolate often have coupons under the label
