Beyond the Bin: Unexpected Household Items You Can Recycle

We all strive to live more sustainably, embracing the principles of “reduce, reuse, recycle.” But sometimes, deciphering what truly belongs in the recycling bin can be tricky. That takeout pizza box? Probably not recyclable. However, some seemingly unusable items have a second life. This guide unveils a surprising list of household objects that can be recycled, upcycled, or given a new purpose. So, the next time you declutter, keep this handy list in mind.

Recycling Heroes: Items You Can (and Should) Recycle

Discover innovative ways to give your unwanted items a new beginning. From crayons to eyeglasses, there are eco-friendly solutions for many common household discards.

Crayons: Coloring a Greener Future

Those colorful crayons, small as they are, contribute significantly to landfill waste. Each year, over half a million pounds of crayons end up in landfills, and because they don’t biodegrade, they become a persistent problem. Instead of discarding them, send your old crayons to The Crayon Initiative. They melt down the wax, remanufacture the crayons, and then donate them to art programs in children’s hospitals across the United States. This not only keeps crayons out of landfills but also brightens the lives of children in need.

Shingles: Paving the Way to a Sustainable Future

Made primarily from asphalt, shingles are surprisingly recyclable. They can be repurposed into paving materials for roads and highways. Use ShingleRecycling.org to find a local shingle recycler, helping to reduce construction waste and give these materials a second life.

Prescription Drugs: Safe Disposal for a Healthy Environment

Improper disposal of unused prescription drugs can pose environmental risks. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hosts a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day periodically throughout the year. Find a collection center near you to safely return unused medications. Some medications should be flushed according to the directions on the medication label.

Wine Corks: Corks for a Cause

While the wine bottle itself is readily recyclable, what about the cork? While composting is an option, consider sending your natural corks to a company like ReCORK, which uses them to create recycled products. This helps divert waste and gives corks a second life.

Sports Equipment: Gear Up for a Sustainable Play

Outgrown your baseball glove or no longer using that yoga mat? Play It Again Sports will purchase your old sporting equipment. You can also donate old yoga mats to Sanuk, which repurposes them into comfortable flip-flops. Give your old gear a second chance by keeping it out of landfills.

Toothbrushes: Brushing Away Waste

Every toothbrush you’ve ever used is still on this planet. Plastic takes centuries to decompose, and toothbrushes are no exception. Partner with Terracycle, which has a program with Colgate, to recycle all oral care products, including toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, and floss containers.

CDs & DVDs: Spinning a Sustainable Story

Got a stack of unused CDs and DVDs? You can often sell them or find a drop-off location connected to the CD Recycling Center of America. The discs are then used to create materials for the automotive and construction industries.

Fluorescent Light Bulbs: Shedding Light on Safe Disposal

Breaking a fluorescent light bulb in the trash releases mercury into the air. Fortunately, resources like Earth911 offer recycling locations for proper disposal. This ensures that these bulbs are handled safely and their components are recycled.

Holiday Lights: Brightening the Future

Don’t toss those old holiday lights! Send them to Holiday LEDS, where the materials are recycled. Plus, you might even receive a discount on new lights.

Toilets: Flushing Out Waste

Believe it or not, there are programs for recycling old toilets! Numerous governmental programs offer solutions. Some programs provide replacement programs.

Computers & Phones: Tech with a Second Life

These devices contain valuable recyclable materials. Computers and phones can be reused for various purposes or processed through mechanical shredding to recover usable metals.

Sneakers: Stepping Towards a Sustainable Future

Millions of pairs of shoes end up in landfills annually. Donate your shoes to someone in need through Wearable Collections. You can request a bin and host a drive to collect shoes for a good cause.

Videos: A Second Act for Obsolete Media

Along with VHS tapes, GreenDisk accepts a wide array of old computer-related waste, providing a sustainable solution for your outdated media.

Ink/Toner Cartridges: Printing a Greener World

Hundreds of millions of ink cartridges end up in landfills each year. Avoid this waste by finding a drop-off center or purchasing a printer cartridge refill kit.

Foam Packaging: Recycling Comfort

From takeout containers to coffee cups, foam packaging is common. You can set up foam recycling at home, schools, or other locations by signing up with Home for Foam.

Diapers: A Sustainable Solution for a Necessary Item

Yes, diapers can be recycled! Knowaste specializes in recycling used diapers. They separate waste from the plastic, which can be reused in other applications.

Beauty Products: Recycling for Radiance

Terracycle also offers recycling for personal care and beauty products, including skincare, haircare, and cosmetic packaging. Reduce waste by sending these items to the appropriate recycling programs.

Eyeglasses: Seeing a Better Future

Donate your old eyeglasses to the Lions Club, where they are recycled and reused, providing clear vision to those in need. Give your glasses a second life and make a difference.

By exploring these options and making informed choices, we can all contribute to a more sustainable future and minimize our environmental impact.