Additional Coverage:
- 21 Common Household Things I Bet You Didn’t Know You Could Recycle (momswhothink.com)
Don’t Trash That! Surprising Household Items You Can Actually Recycle
We all know the basics: plastic bottles, aluminum cans, cardboard. But what about those everyday items you toss without a second thought? Get ready to rethink your trash habits, because many common household goods can find new life through recycling or repurposing, keeping them out of our already overflowing landfills.
We’ve done the digging, reviewing various organizations and companies dedicated to giving your unwanted items a second chance. Here’s a look at some surprising candidates for your next recycling run:
Clothes Hangers
Tired of that tangled mess in your closet? Don’t send those hangers to the landfill!
Plastic hangers can often be dropped off at specialized recycling programs, and some retail stores even have collection bins. Wire hangers?
Those are scrap metal gold and happily accepted at scrap metal facilities. If your wooden hangers are still in good shape, consider donating them to a local thrift store or charity.
Feeling crafty? Repurposing hangers offers endless creative possibilities!
Crayons
From tiny nubs to broken bits, crayons often meet an untimely end in the trash. But wait!
Organizations like the National Crayon Recycle Program are eager to collect your unwanted wax wonders. They’re transformed into brand new, fun-shaped crayons by companies like Crazy Crayons, ready for more colorful adventures.
Staples also participates with a writing tools recycling program, or you can melt them down for your own DIY crafts.
Sneakers
Your trusty athletic shoes take a beating, and when they’ve finally run their course, resist the urge to toss them. Dedicated recycling centers welcome worn-out sneakers, preventing them from adding to landfill waste.
If your shoes still have some pep but you’ve upgraded, charities like Soles4Soul or GotSneakers will happily find them a new home. Even big names like Nike offer programs such as Reuse-a-Shoe and Nike Grind.
Wine Corks
After enjoying a good bottle of wine, what happens to the cork? Many end up in the bin, but they have hidden potential!
Companies like ReCORK transform natural wine corks into innovative footwear products. You can also add them to your compost, mail them to services like CorkClub, break them down for plant mulch, or unleash your inner crafter for countless DIY projects.
Carpeting
Recycling isn’t always as simple as curbside pickup, and carpeting is a prime example. However, it’s definitely possible and incredibly beneficial for the environment.
If your carpet is in decent condition but you’re opting for a change, consider donating it to organizations like Habitat for Humanity ReStore. When replacing carpet, your installer might even handle the old one for you.
Companies like GreenWaste specialize in recycling both carpet and its foam padding.
Hairdryers
That indispensable tool for a quick morning routine won’t last forever. When your hairdryer finally gives up the ghost, don’t just chuck it.
Many local recycling centers accept these items, even if they’re broken. Look for e-waste recycling programs, check if the manufacturer has a take-back initiative, or head to a scrap yard where its components can be recycled.
Hair
Yes, you read that right – hair! It might seem unconventional, but organizations like Matter of Trust’s Hair Matters Program utilize human hair for everything from oil spill cleanups to soil mulch and seagrass restoration.
If you’re not sending it off, you can even add it to your compost to enrich your soil. Long locks can also be donated to charities like Wigs for Kids.
There are more uses for hair than you might imagine, so think twice before sweeping it into the trash!
Pet Food Bags
Before tossing those empty kibble sacks, check the packaging! If the plastic is labeled #2 or #4, it can often be recycled with other plastic bags (just make sure it’s clean and dry).
Many pet food manufacturers, including Royal Canin, Wellness, and Purina, offer free recycling programs. Third-party retailers like Pet Supplies Plus also provide recycling for pet food and litter bags.
For a paid option, TerraCycle is always a possibility.
Old Mattresses
Torn, tattered, or stained, old mattresses don’t have to hog landfill space. Search for a recycling center near you through services like Bye Bye Mattress, or check with your city for designated pickup programs.
If your mattress is still in good shape but you’ve upgraded, a local charity would be thrilled to give it to someone in need. When all else fails, a mattress removal service can ensure responsible disposal.
Zipper-Style Sandwich Bags
Those ubiquitous plastic sandwich bags can often be recycled right where you buy them: at your local grocery store. Many stores have plastic film drop-off bins.
You can also check 1-800-Recycling to find a nearby plastic film recycler. At home, these bags are perfect for repurposing as cold packs, craft supplies, or creative packaging solutions.
Brita Water Filters
Don’t toss those used Brita filters! Brita itself offers a super easy recycling program – just request a pre-paid shipping label and send them back.
TerraCycle also collects Brita filters, offering free shipping for these items. Simply download a label, package your products, and let them handle the rest.
Toothbrushes
Your oral hygiene routine can be greener than you think! TerraCycle offers a free program for toothbrushes, toothpaste cartons, and tubes (caps included).
Just gather your items, print a shipping label, and send them off. Some grocery stores and recycling centers accept these, but always call ahead to confirm.
Companies like Colgate and Tom’s of Maine have their own recycling initiatives, and even your dentist’s office might participate in oral hygiene product recycling.
CDs and DVDs
In our streaming-dominated world, CDs and DVDs might seem like relics, but don’t let them gather dust (or end up in the landfill!). Your local recycling center might accept them (check for specific requirements like removing cases).
Thrift stores welcome donations, and you can even repurpose them for dazzling DIY art projects. Who knows, you might even find someone willing to buy your old favorites and give them a new spin!
Used Bras
Wondering what to do with your old bras? The Bra Recyclers organization makes it easy: wash them, fill out their form, label your package, and mail them off.
Wearable bras can also be donated to charitable organizations like Bosom Buddies. For recycling centers, look for those specializing in clothing and textiles.
And for the crafty among us, upcycling old bras with your sewing machine offers creative possibilities.
Cosmetics
When your favorite lipstick or foundation runs out, take a moment to examine the packaging for recycling symbols or instructions. Brands like M.A.C.
Cosmetics often have take-back programs for empty containers, allowing you to drop them off in-store or mail them in. Unopened products can be donated to local charities (call ahead!), while used items might find a happy home with a friend or community member.
Many cosmetic containers are also perfect for creative reuse around the house.
Diapers
A dirty diaper seems like the ultimate no-go for recycling, right? Think again!
Biodegradable dirty diapers can sometimes be added to compostable waste bins for curbside pickup. Some manufacturers offer recycling services (often for a fee).
For cloth diapers, companies like Cotton Babies offer recycling. And for other types, the “knowaste recycling process” breaks them down, sanitizes, and processes them into new materials.
Shower Curtains
TerraCycle comes to the rescue again with their Bathroom Accessories Zero Waste Box, designed to collect shower curtains and other bathroom items, keeping them out of landfills. If you’re feeling creative, shower curtains make excellent drop cloths for kid’s craft areas, serve as weed barriers in mulched beds, or protect items from moisture in various settings.
Razors
Good news for Gillette users! They’ve partnered with TerraCycle for a free recycling program.
Simply download a tracking label, package your razors and blades, and ship them off. Metal dealers might be interested in your blades, and some recycling centers and drugstores also accept razors (call ahead to confirm!).
iPhones
With new models dropping almost yearly, old iPhones can quickly pile up. But don’t let them become forgotten tech!
Apple offers free recycling for iPhones, and you might even qualify for a discount on a new phone with a trade-in. Amazon also has a trade-in program for gift cards.
Just remember to perform a hard reset to wipe all your data before handing it over.
Prescription Bottles
Empty prescription bottles can find new life! Organizations like ASPCA and Matthew 25: Ministries, along with select CVS and Walgreens locations, accept them. Check if they’re #1 or #2 plastic for your local recycling center, and always ensure they’re empty, clean, dry, and stripped of all personal information.
Glasses
Your old spectacles can make a world of difference. Many states have recycling programs specifically for eyeglasses, like the North Carolina Lions Foundation, which cleans and classifies plastic frames for medical missions abroad.
Websites like Recycline can help you find local opticians who accept old glasses. Manufacturers sometimes have take-back programs, and charitable organizations like Goodwill will happily distribute them to those in need.
Read More About This Story:
- 21 Common Household Things I Bet You Didn’t Know You Could Recycle (momswhothink.com)