No matter where you live in this big wide world, a recycling center is sure to be close by. And that’s good! Recycling is an important step we can take to conserve our natural resources, reduce litter and pollution, and lower the impact of producing things made from virgin materials.
Recycling can be defined as reusing or reconditioning materials or products in order to make something new. Most of us know the many common types of recyclables, such as plastic, paper, glass, aluminum and steel. You may also be aware that batteries, motor oil, tires, refrigerators and computer printers can also be recycled. And that organic matter is also recyclable via composting. But there are a few other recyclable items that you may not be aware of.
For example, did you know that asphalt shingles can be recycled? It’s true! The old asphalt goes to create new pavement for roadways.
You can also recycle your old running shoes. Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program collects worn-out shoes and converts them into materials used to create a variety of sports courts and surfaces.
And because those curly, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) contain a small amount of mercury, you can’t discard them in the trash. But there’s good news. Most major home improvement retailers now offer free recycling collection for these types of (unbroken) bulbs.
Even plastic wrap, film and bags can be recycled! We try to avoid it, but plastic wraps and film seem to cover many of the things we purchase, from rolls of toilet paper to packages of socks. Make sure that kind of packaging doesn’t end up in a landfill. Enter your ZIP or postal code here to find a nearby location that accepts these types of recyclables.
There’s even a plan by the U.S. Pentagon to service and repair from space craft and satellites! You probably don’t have a space satellite—yet—but it’s good to know a program is in the works to reuse valuable parts and save taxpayer money!
What unusual items have you found new uses for? We’d love to hear from you! Just leave a comment below.
Resources:
Recycling Centers: How and Why Would I Compost
Earth 911: Recycling Dhingles
Nike: Reuse-A-Shoe
One Good Thing: 25 Things You Can Recycle
Mother Nature Network: 5 ways to dispose of old CFLs
Earth 911: Recycling CFL Bulbs
Plastic Film Recycling: FAQ
DARPA Revamps Phoenix In-Orbit Servicing Program
America Recycles Day
My mom cleaned a toilet brush holder after switching to Norwex’s ergonomic brush and now uses it as a vase! And she learned that the old, plastic-bristled brushes can be recycled. I keep the silica packets that seem to come in everything and throw them in with my out-of-season clothes to prevent moisture. My husband keeps a couple in his flight bag, as well.
And Norwex is recyclable! 🙂
Our community does not recycle plastic tubs! That, to me, is just heinous. I even called, and they said “we don’t have a buyer for them.” How is this allowed to persist? Plastic tubs account for a large percentage of the plastic we use in our home! I cringe every single time I see or place one in our trash bin. I can’t stand it. We need to find a recycling outlet for these!!!
do you mean plastic tubs as in what Cool Whip or margarine come in? Perhaps try using them as starting pots for vegetable or flower seeds? Drill holes in the bottom for drainage. Go a little further with the community and start a community garden ? Have the interested parties start saving their plastic tubs, etc. 🙂
Hi Hayley. I also have issues with the recycling in my community. The solution: I stock pile the things that I can’t recycle here and take them with me to friends’ and families’ homes that are able the recycle them in their communities. There is also a recycling depot in the community I work in (different from the community I live in) that I can take these items too. Hope this helps!
I take my bulbs to my local hardware store for recycling and I also take my baggies that package everything to my local grocery store for recycling. I also recycle my plant tubs as well.
This is great information! 🙂
thanks for the information
I need to remember to bring our tennis shoes to the Nike store on our way to Christmas with the family. We’ve been collecting them in our garage for several years not knowing where to bring them!
how about asphalt paving?
I hear its very important aswell, might check this site has detailed infos about it: http://asphaltpavingtips.com/
I need to get better about recycling the non-obvious… a little effort could go a long way!
That’s really cool that you can have your old shingles recycled. I wouldn’t have thought that they could be used to makes new roads. That sounds like a great way to reuse them so that they don’t take a ton of room up in a dump.
http://renovaindustries.com/
I have some old computers that I’m not sure what to do about it. It’s good to know that you can have these kinds of things recycled! I’ll be sure to find a place to take them that will recycle them properly.
It’s so good to know that the old asphalt can easily be recycled to help build new roadways. My brother is trying to recycle more asphalt with his company this year. He needs to find the right machines that make that job much easier than it currently is.