Most people are well aware of all the common household items that can be recycled – whether by sending them off on the local recycling day or by repurposing them. However, there are plenty of items that you may own that you have never given a second thought about recycling, but you should. Here are a number of things that you can recycle that you may have ne...
Happily, or sadly (depending on your perspective) our city is full of ultimate recyclers: set something out on the curb of a busy street corner and it’ll be gone in less than 30 minutes. Works as long as folks retrieve/don’t set out, the few objects no one wants (e.g. old mattresses, couches, etc= eck!).
Freecycle is GREAT. Astonishing what folks will come get if “free”.
Also, just had the “Annual National Drug Take Back Day” sponsored by the DOJ. Great program.
Highly advise folks research where locally to recycle paint, toxic chemicals (pesticides), computers, TVs, car batteries, etc.
There’s a place besides the dump for almost everything!
Great list, obviously thought provoking.
Two more unusual ones:
ballpoint pens – The Pen Guy
corks – BevMo or TerraCycle
You can melt your old crayons and make into a creative DIY art project. Also, there are running stores that offer discounts to new pairs if you donate your old one. That’s a whole lot of savings.
I didn’t know you could recycle prescription drugs – that is one I am going to look into! I also love the crayon idea, I am going to try to make melted crayons with my girls sometime this week.
Aside from melting together in muffin tins to make new crayons, etc, you can put small scraps or shavings between two sheets of waxed paper and iron. Very cool!
Thank you for highlighting New Eyes for eyeglass recycling – especially during the month of October when we celebrate World Sight Day. A pair of used eyeglasses is often the first and only pair of glasses a poor person overseas will ever own. (Eyeglasses are considered a medical device and cannot be reused in the US…).
These glasses make a deep and lasting impact in a poor individual’s life! Send yours to New Eyes at 549 Millburn Ave, Short Hills, NJ 07078. Shipping costs are tax-deductible.
I drive a van. Most of the time it is empty. I also frequent resale stores.
When I see items set out on lawns for trash day, I will sometimes stop to pick them up and then drop them off at the nearest Goodwill or Salvation Army.
It drives me nuts to see perfectly good furniture, blankets, etc, have to go to landfills because others aren’t interested in taking the time to do this.
Please help our planet by helping to repurpose items to places that can make good use of them.
Thanks!