Items You Should Recycle

When you think about throwing something away, your first instinct might be to just get it over with. Oftentimes, the go-to move is to just toss things you no longer need into the nearest trash can. But what if some of these items could actually be recycled and put to good use? This post will go over some items you should consider recycling.

Plastics

Plastic is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think about recycling. And for good reason: Plastics make up a large percentage of all waste in the United States. Plastics are made from fossil fuels, such as crude oil, natural gas, or coal. As useful as these materials are, there are also harmful chemicals that can seep into soil and waterways if improperly disposed of. Because of this, many municipalities have strict regulations on the types of plastics that can be recycled. The good news is that the majority of plastics can still be recycled in most cities, including bottles, containers, and wrapping film.

Wood

Wood, both softwood and hardwood, can be easily recycled in most cities as well. Common items include pallets, boxes, wooden boards, and even wooden windows and doors. Because wood is a renewable resource, a lot of it is reused each year. And since wood is such a common material, there are very few ways to stop its widespread recycling.

Textiles

Most people don’t realize it, but textiles like wool, silk, and polyester can all be recycled. The best way to get started is to check with your local dry cleaner or drop off your dirty clothes at a consignment store. Some places gladly accept fabrics of all types, but even if there are limitations, you still might be able to get a lot of items off your hands. You could also donate your starchy, caked-on garments to a local charity or nonprofit.

Metal

You might be surprised to learn that there are a number of different uses for metals. For example, old metal cans can be refitted with a new lid and sent to the recycling center. There are also organizations, such as scrap catalytic converter buyers, who can turn old metal parts into new items.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is to be aware of the impact your garbage has on the environment. By recycling common items, you can help make a difference in the world.