I Can Recycle That?
Silverware
Talia from lil Lola Rose creates beautiful jewelry using repurposed silverware. You can view her collection on the Etsy website. If you like what you see gather up your old spoons and forks and send them over to Talia for a custom look that meets your needs!
Crayons
The National Crayon Recycle Program has made it possible to stop more than 53,000 pounds of broken and battered crayons from ending up in landfills by converting them into brand-spanking new ones! All you have to do is collect ‘em, box ‘em and ship ‘em! Check the website for details!
Cigarette Butts
We’re not quite there, but it’s possible that New York City may be creating a cigarette butt recycling program! Get those butts off the streets!
Used Motor Oil
Used motor oil is a valuable energy resource and is also extremely harmful to our waterways and soil. Learn more by reading “The Importance of Used Motor Oil Recycling” from Earth911 (one of our eco-friendly allies!)
Wine Corks
7.5 million corks collected and counting! ReCORK by Amorim is a natural wine cork recycling program. Cork is 100% natural, biodegradable and renewable, and can be made into flooring tiles, building insulation, automotive gaskets, craft materials, soil conditioner and sports equipment. ReCORK’s goal, in addition to recycling corks, is to educate and inform audiences about the crucial role cork forests play in curbing climate change.
Hair
In the midst of an epic disaster in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, who knew that recycled hair products could help to clean up messes found on the beaches? Hair mats are being created by “Matter of Trust” to aid in disaster relief. Watch this video to learn more!
Trophies
Do you have any middle school basketball or pee wee football mementos still hanging around? As wonderful as it may be to hang on to those memories from your glory days, wouldn’t it feel nice to de-clutter? Lamb Awards and Engraving has a recycling program that will either donate your old trophies to charities, or use the parts for the up-and-coming stars of the current decade.
Electronics
This year, Best Buy, Inc. launched its electronics recycling program. It doesn’t matter how out-of-date your gadget may be, the Greener Together™ program will make sure that it’s properly and safely recycled. Think TV’s, DVD players, computer monitors, audio and video cables, cell phones and more.
Jeans
Cotton from Blue to Green was created to turn your worn out denim into insulation that is packaged, shipped and installed to be used in residential homes and commercial buildings across the county. Watch this video for more information on this process.
Chip Bags
What’s upcycling? Join the “Chip Bag Brigade” created by TerraCycle and help turn your Frito Lay bags into creative-looking products such as totes, binders and speakers to name a few.
Plastic Bags
Try not to use these at all, but if you have to check out Plastic Bag Recycling for information on the closest retailers that offer this service.