When you throw something away, there is a good chance that it will stay in one place permanently. And we don’t want that to happen to recyclable items. Therefore, we should wisely choose what goes in recycle bin.
Here is a list of unusual things to reuse or recycle. Even though you may no longer need these items, others may find great value in them.
Grass clippings
If you don’t have a mulching mower, you can rake up your grass clippings. Simply add them to your compost.
What can go in recycle bin? Definitely not papers
It doesn’t matter what kind—and you likely have all kinds of paper around your house.
Simply add it to your bin for curbside pickup.
Packaging recycling: Cardboard boxes
There are a lot of places that collect boxes. Some non-profits will take them to use.
And some office places have programs where boxes are collected monthly from UsedCardboardBoxes.com.
Telephones
Ditching your landline? Then you might wonder what to do with your old phone.
There are places where you can donate them where they will be refurbished or recycled.
List of recyclable items: Fluorescent bulbs
Since they contain mercury, these can be dangerous to just throw away.
Check with your local waste recycler and see if they take hazardous waste. You can drop the bulbs there. The mercury can be used to make new bulbs.
Books
Are books recyclable? Of course, they are. But make sure to check with your local library first.
Then you can try schools and charities. Paperbacks can also go in your recycle bin but check before adding hardcovers.
Clothes
Don’t just throw out your old clothes. There are plenty of people in need and many churches and charities will take them.
Wine corks
You may not know it, but you may be walking on some cork.
Many flooring companies use it as a layer under hardwood. Check your local stores and see if they will take your corks.
What goes in recycle bin? Exclude old Christmas lights
Have you been buying new ones every year since the last years don’t work anymore?
Check with local lighting companies. There are some that will take them.
Food
No, we are not suggesting you give your old food away.
What you can do is start composting your scraps. This leaves you with an excellent fertilizer for your lawn and gardens. And it’s free!
Food containers
Whether it’s old Rubbermaid, jars, bottles, cardboard, cereal boxes, or things made out of plastic, check the labeling. If it can be recycled, don’t just throw it in the trash.
Cell phones
Do you upgrade every year? Then you may have a cell phone graveyard at home. Check around with local charities, you should be able to find someone who will take them. Charities that assist women in need will often take them.
Carpets and rugs
For those in the states, you can check with the Carpet America Recovery Effort or the UGA Carpet Recycling Resource. They would rather take them and recycle them than see them end up in a landfill.
Leaves
What to do with all those leaves once you have raked them up? Assuming you don’t have bags and bags of them, add them to your compost.
If you’re fortunate, you have curbside pickup for them every fall.
BBQ propane tanks
If you have a tank for your barbecue you can no longer use, do not just throw it out. Check with your local gas or propane supply company. They will take them.
Takeaway
It is true that nothing is permanent in this world. Even the most expensive thing deteriorates over time. Nevertheless, so long as a thing serves its purpose, it shouldn’t go in the trashcan yet.
If you have a lot of items around the house that you don’t think are still useful for you, you can always donate them and give them to someone who needs them. If you’ve been wondering what goes in recycle bin, we hope these ideas help you!
Source: Recycling Centers