You’re probably already putting in that extra effort to separate your trash, papers, and plastics from your regular garbage. But let’s be honest, it’s not always easy to know what’s recyclable and what ends up in the trash. A whole bunch of household items might be slipping past your recycling radar.
While some things fit perfectly into your usual weekly recycling routine, there’s a good chance you’re tossing things into the bin that could actually be given a fresh start through recycling. Admittedly, a few of these items might need a bit more attention, but here are eight household items that deserve another shot at being recycled.
Old Athletic Shoes
If your sports shoes are in such rough shape that they’re beyond passing on to someone else and can’t be worn anymore, there’s still a way to recycle them. Search for shoe companies that run recycling initiatives, or you can drop them off at a nearby Nike store. Nike runs a Reuse-a-Shoe program that takes worn-out athletic shoes from all brands, grinds them down, repurposes them to make sports and playground surfaces, and crafts new sustainable Nike products.
Coffee Pods
Though it might take a bit of extra work, you can actually toss coffee pods into your regular recycling. But here’s the deal: you’ll need to break them down for proper recycling. That means separating each pod into its components – the plastic, aluminum, and paper parts – before putting them in your recycling. As for the coffee grounds, here are 14 Incredible Ways to Repurpose Used Coffee Grounds.
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Batteries
Batteries have the potential to be recycled – but there’s a bit of a catch. You’ll need to track down specific drop-off centers to recycle batteries properly. Your local public library, post office, or mail-in programs might have these options. To pinpoint a facility that accepts your particular type of battery, you can use Earth911’s search tool or Call2Recycle to find the right location.
Books
If you’re a book lover facing a stack of books to part with, there’s an environmentally responsible way to handle it. Instead of contributing to greenhouse gas emissions by disposing of them in a landfill, there are several effective methods of book recycling. Book recycling options include donating them to a local library or charity or selling them online.
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Plastic Bags
While a few grocery stores have taken the route of completely doing away with plastic bags, many households still accumulate them. The smartest approach for recycling these bags is to give them a second life on your own whenever possible. You can utilize them as liners for smaller trash cans around your place, for picking up after your furry companions, or even as packaging material for mailing items.
Yet, if you’ve somehow amassed a rather sizable stockpile of these bags, several retailers and grocery chains offer collection bins for plastic bags. To locate a suitable drop-off spot near you, you can explore Plastic Film Recycling’s directory or How to Recycle.
Books
If you’re a book lover facing a stack of books to part with, there’s an environmentally responsible way to handle it. Instead of contributing to greenhouse gas emissions by disposing of them in a landfill, there are several effective methods of book recycling. Book recycling options include donating them to a local library or charity or selling them online.
10 Responsible Ways to Get Rid of Your Old Books
Toothbrush
You can definitely find some clever ways to repurpose toothbrushes at home, like using them as a grout cleaner or for shining up your shoes. However, if you want a more official recycling route, Colgate has teamed up with Terracycle for their own recycling program. It’s as easy as sending them your used toothbrushes and they’ll handle the rest of the process.
Crayons
If you’re a parent, chances are you’ve amassed a collection of used crayons in your home. Instead of letting them sit around or placing them in the trash, you can send them to crayon recycling program like Crazy Crayon. The recycling program will work their magic and transform those crayons.
Ink Cartridges
A good number of big office supply retailers provide a way for you to recycle your used printer ink cartridges. However, there are certain conditions to keep in mind, often related to where and when you bought the cartridges. Just reach out to your local office supply store for more information and don’t just put them in the trash.
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Selling your used furniture online is a smart move to both earn money from your old belongings and minimize your environmental impact. Selling your used furniture is a practical step towards sustainability, all while boosting your finances. Whether you’re aiming to declutter your space or explore a side gig, here are the top online platforms to list your old furniture and tap into its hidden value.
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Tamara White is the creator and founder of The Thrifty Apartment, a home decor and DIY blog that focuses on affordable and budget-friendly home decorating ideas and projects. Tamara documents her home improvement journey, love of thrifting, tips for space optimization, and creating beautiful spaces.
