Expanding the boundaries of recycling

Two local businesses are joining in an effort that allows people to recycle products that aren’t generally accepted — flip flops and writing utensils, that is. Old Navy will accept the old flip flops through May 21 and Office Depot will take any brand of used pens, markers or mechanical pencils through April 23. Both of the Edwardsville Crossing stores are working with Terracycle Inc., an international recycle that items nobody else will and turns them into affordable, eco-friendly products.