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Hello, DIYers!

It’s great to see so many people committed to helping the environment! The only trouble is that it isn’t always common sense to know how to really get started. In matters of recycling, there is little to no consistency between recycling centers. Here, we can help you begin to get an idea of the many things that can be recycled that you may not be sure about. We still encourage you to reach out to your specific recycling centers to ask them if they will or will not take certain items and how they should be packaged for them for efficiency and safety. It’s important to note that improperly packaging your recycled products can damage large portions of other recycled materials, machinery, or injure the workers at the recycling center so it is always best to make sure you’re being mindful.

While living green is far from effort-free, it is worth it to ensure that future generations have the best resources available to them. Once your local efforts are demystified, it becomes much easier to get into a routine to make it easier!

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Plastic Overwrap

Plastic that rounds up product like paper towels, toilet paper, and more are totally recyclable! This guide can help make sure you’re doing it properly!

Found Plastic Film Recycling

Junk Mail

Junk mail is a nuisance! I can’t think of anyone who really enjoys it and instead of having a purpose, it often ends up in the trash. First things first, it’s great to try and call to get your name off of some lists. After that, you can recycle based on what type of material the advertisement is printed on.

Found Recycle Nation

Carpet

Did you know that you can recycle carpet?! The complex fibers in your carpet have been put together with different types of chemicals and plastic. If you’re choosing a contractor who offers to haul it away, why not ask if they will be recycling it? If not, you can find further instructions here!

Found Earth911

Air Pillows

Plastic wraps are some of the most complicated things to figure out with recycling. Some of them yes! Some of them no. But air pillows used to keep your packages safe are a yes!

Found Plastic Film Recycling

Fluorescent Tubes

Either at work or at home, if you have fluorescent tubes, you can’t simply throw them away. They are filled with mercury and must be recycled properly. If you’re unsure how, this resource can help!

Found Green Matters

Hearing Aids

Donated hearing aids can make a world of difference to those in need! If you have an old set or a loved one has passed away, don’t just throw them out. You can recycle them locally or with a national resource!

Found Hearing Aid Donations

Single Use Batteries

Though single use batteries can be thrown in the trash because they are deemed non-hazardous, it doesn’t mean it’s the best option. You can recycle these batteries using this guide!

Found Earth911

Ink Cartridges

If you go through ink cartridges regularly, it’s a good idea to recycle them! Many local places will take them and even give you cash!

Found Green Tumble

Incandescent Bulbs

So what’s the deal with light bulbs? When they burn out, you can throw them away. But if you’re trying to live as green as possible, you can also check around to see if any of your local recycling centers are equipped to take them off of your hands! It isn’t universal in the U.S. so you can look up their number and give them a call! If they don’t take them, they might be able to suggest a location that will. Even if it is a town or two over, you may consider having a collection box for your neighborhood and taking it once it is full!

Found Granger Waste Services

Plastic Grocery Bags

Groceries used to come in paper bags that were easy to recycle but like most things, it evolved into plastic for the bottom dollar. But all is not lost! You actually can recycle the flimsy plastic grocery bags as well!

Found Live Green

Motor Oil

Did you know that you can recycle your old motor oil? Most of it is simply dumped down people’s drains which isn’t good for the planet or your drains! Instead, many automotive locations can recycle the motor oil for you.

Found Recycle Nation

Shredded Paper

Let’s get this one out of the way! Shredding paper is NOT ideal for most regular recycling centers. Because the pieces are so small, it actually becomes very difficult to work with. It may be better suited for a place that is specific to upcycling shredded paper into new paper straight from the jump! This blog will tell you all you need to know about packaging it appropriately and what you can do about documents that need to be shredded!

Found Green Matters

Eyeglasses

You can give the gift of sight to someone by recycling old eyeglasses!

Found IEC2020

Laptop

If you have an old laptop (or several) that you’re not sure what to do with, you can wipe the hard drive and donate it to a local organization!

Found Cash Your Laptop

Cardboard

Okay, so you probably already knew that you could recycle cardboard. But did you know how many different types of cardboard there are and ALL the ways that you can recycle it?! This blog will help you find out! Plus you can learn about the process.

Found Conserve Energy Future

Plastic Spray Pump Tops

First things first! These should not go in your recycling bin. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t recycle them in your own way. This recycling series has suggestions on what you can do with spray tops to save them from the landfill!

Found Kane County Connects

Case Wrap

Case wrap is sturdy enough to hold your heavy water bottles but it’s usually not clear if it is sturdy enough to be recycled. We’re here to debunk the myth that it isn’t! Naturally, re-usable water bottles are the way to go. But it’s not always possible! Just make sure you are making your best efforts to recycle the bottles AND the case wrap and you’re good to go!

Found Plastic Film Recycling

Old CDs, DVDs, and Tapes

Plenty of us still have outdated entertainment laying around! Unfortunately most of it just takes up space now that we are streaming everything. You might choose to upcycle your CDs or DVDs! Or you can recycle them in another way!

Found Earth911

Cooking Oil

Cooking oil is not great for the environment, but when recycled it can be put to good use! You’ll have to call around ask find out where you can donate your cooking oil after collecting it. You might consider keeping it in a large, easy to transport until it is full and then taking it only a couple times a year to make it convenient!

Found Choose SQ

Shampoo Bottles

They’re made of plastic, so this makes sense, right? Unfortunately only 1/5 people in the U.S. even bother recycling items from the bathroom. So the way you do it is to simply open up the bottle and rinse it out. You’re already in the shower, so easy peasy, right?! From there, add it to whatever system of organization that you use to sort your recycling!

Found Earth911

Crayons

How many crayons are you guilty of throwing away? Then they break or get too small, it just seems like the sensible option, right? You can actually recycle them through this national crayon recycling program that does residual good in the world! Check them out!

Found Crazy Crayons

Cleaning Bottles

Okay. So what’s the deal with cleaning bottles? Chemicals don’t seem like the best option for recycling… and rinsing them out means putting those chemicals in the water system, right? The answer is… sometimes. It really depends on what it is! Just a reminder, the spray tops are a no-go! So consider making your own cleaning products and re-using the bottle. Otherwise, check out this explanation on how and what you can recycle and rinse from the cleaning bottles you’d like to get out of the house!

Found Grist

Toothbrushes

If you haven’t already opted for a biodegradable toothbrush, you can recycle your old one through this awesome program through Terracycle!

Found Terracycle

Produce Bags

You can recycle produce bags, bread bags, and even plastic newspaper bags!

Found Plastic Film Recycling

Aerosol Cans

This is a tough one! Many aerosol cans are made of of either aluminum or steel, both of which are high-value metals that can be infinitely recycled into new metal products. However, dealing with these cans responsibly also has some risk associated with it so it is important to learn and commit! Check out this guide to get you started! Also make sure you check with your local recycling center to ensure you are following any specific packaging and safety measures they require to accept them!

Found Earth911

LED Bulbs

Like incandescent bulbs, these are totally recyclable! It is mostly up to your local recycling centers on whether or not they will accept them, however!

Found Granger Waste Services

K-Cups

K-Cups account for a lot of plastic waste in the home. It adds up! So how do you effectively recycle them? Check it out!

Found YouTube

Razor Blades

Recycling razor blades may not be something that you’ve ever considered, but they are made out of perfectly recyclable material! You just have to know how to recycle them properly and safely!

Found Green Matters

Plastic Bottle Caps

There have been conflicting messages about plastic bottle caps for so long that most people are entirely unsure of what to do with them. Put them back on a container? Recycle them separately? Don’t recycle them at all? I wish I had an answer for you, friends. It is all up to your recycling center! So give them a call and ask about their preferences!

Found Plastics Make it Possible

Cell Phones

Quick! Think about how many old cell phones you have in your junk drawer right now! If it’s more than zero, and you don’t have any specific reason for having one, perhaps it’s time to let them go. Learn how to recycle them here!

Found Tree Hugger

Oil Filters

Much like recycling oil, you can recycle the oil filters as well! Most anywhere that accepts oil recycling will also take the filters!

Found BioEnergy Consult

Plastic Overwrap

Carpet

Air Pillows

Fluorescent Tubes

Hearing Aids

Single Use Batteries

Ink Cartridges

Incandescent Bulbs

Plastic Grocery Bags

Motor Oil

Shredded Paper

Eyeglasses

Laptop

Cardboard

Plastic Spray Pump Tops

Case Wrap

Old CDs, DVDs, and Tapes

Cooking Oil

Shampoo Bottles

Crayons

Cleaning Bottles

Toothbrushes

Produce Bags

Aerosol Cans

LED Bulbs

K-Cups

Razor Blades

Plastic Bottle Caps

Cell Phones

Oil Filters

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