opportunity.
One item at a time, one community at a time.
80,000+
Items Repurposed
15+
Chapters Internationally
Our Mission
Waste Is an Opportunity
At Bin to Better, we believe that waste is not just trash. It is an opportunity. Every year, countless items with value and potential end up in landfills simply because they no longer serve their original purpose. Our mission is to change that narrative.
We’re driven by a simple yet powerful idea: that one person’s excess can be another’s solution. Whether it’s used tennis balls, old electronics, or other overlooked resources, we aim to connect those who have with those who need. By building bridges between individuals, communities, and organizations, we promote a culture of reuse and responsible recycling.
Through education, partnerships, and hands-on initiatives, Bin to Better empowers people to rethink waste and become part of a more sustainable, circular future. Together, we can turn what would have been thrown away into something better for people, communities, and the planet.
What We Do
Projects
Below are snapshots of our three main projects. Follow the link on each card to dive deeper into the details.
Bounce Back
Collects used tennis balls from clubs and repurposes them for schools (chair legs to reduce noise), animal shelters, and assisted living centers (walker feet).
Tennis balls for schoolsTech to Treasure
Transforms old devices into educational tools before responsibly recycling remaining parts through e-waste channels.
E-waste workshopsEco-Filament
Repurposes suitable plastic waste into 3D printer filament for tools and toys.
Plastic to 3D filamentProof of Impact
Recent Momentum
What is coming up next, and what our three programs have done most recently.
Up Next
Eco-Filament
Community Cleanup
Date announced soon · Fremont, CA
A few hours of collecting litter from a local park or creek. Volunteers of any age are welcome; supplies are provided.
Tech to Treasure
Tech to Treasure Hackathon
Date to be confirmed · Tully Community Branch Library, San Jose, CA
An eight-hour environmental hackathon: teams build something that addresses a sustainability problem, with mentors on hand.
Dates go out on the mailing list first.
Get told when a date landsAward
2026 CRRA Outstanding School Recycling Program Award
Presented by the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA), recognizing student-led reuse, recycling, and community education work.
View AwardsJune 28, 2026
WorkshopTech to Treasure Workshop
Students explored storage technologies, electronics, sensors, embedded systems, and guided device disassembly.
Fremont, CA
June 27, 2026
Collection5,000 Tennis Balls Collected
Approximately 5,000 used tennis balls were collected from partner facilities.
Partner facilities
May 19, 2026
DonationBounce Back Drop-Off
More than 250 repurposed tennis balls were delivered through the Bounce Back Project.
Community partner
April 25, 2026
OutreachLEAF Earth Day Outreach Event
Bin to Better shared Bounce Back, Tech to Treasure, and Eco-Filament with community members.
Fremont, CA
April 19, 2026
WorkshopIn-Person Tech to Treasure Workshop
Students explored circuit boards, motors, routers, modems, and other electronic components.
Fremont, CA
April 18 to May 23, 2026
BootcampTech to Treasure Environmental Bootcamp
Fifty students worked through 10 environmental challenges across a six-week technology bootcamp.
Online and local sessions
Community Voice
Testimonials
“Thank you very much for your donation of 140 gently used tennis balls to my third grade Spanish immersion classroom at Blacow Elementary School. Cutting each individual ball so that it can fit each student leg chair must have been a lot of work! We are so appreciative of your time and effort in giving the tennis balls a new second life instead of throwing them into the landfill. Your donation has been well received by my students. The tennis-ball chair covers are gentler on the waxed floors and are helping prevent scratches. Most importantly, classroom activity transitions are so much quieter as the students get up from or come to sit in their chairs.”
Get in Touch
Contact Us
We would love to hear from you. Whether you have questions, want to donate materials, or are interested in volunteering, please get in touch. We typically respond within a few school days.