50 Things You Can Recycle
Ranked #19 in Healthy Living, #359 overall
Recycle Everything in your Life! Start Recycling Everything If You Can't Reuse It!
You've heard of people recycling everything from printer paper to your old jeans, but you can recycle nearly everything in your life. If it can't be reused, then it most likely can be recycled instead. Car batteries and tires? Yes, those can be recycled. Can you recycle your old roof shingles? Yes! How about your shower curtain? Yes again! Find some creative ways to reduce the amount of stuff that you throw away in your life and be a little greener with the following list of 50 earth friendly tips.
Reduce your Carbon Footprint and Start Recycling Everything in your Life!
Here's a list of things that you can start recycling today...

1. Old bricks, worthless? No, those bricks can be recycled, and are very valuable to some people!
2. Use reclaimed wood for your next project at home. Use your own, or find some on freecycle, Craigslist, at your local transfer station, or recycle.net.
3. There are many places you can exchange or recycle your old electronics.
4. Sell off or post an ad for free metal scrap to be recycled.
5. If you have enough, your old VHS tapes can be recycled
6. Packing tape and stickers cannot be recycled, so use these sparingly in the first place.
7. Tools are very valuable items on eBay. Try selling them in lots to save time, shipping waste, and energy.
8. Empty propane tanks may be able to be taken as scrap metal, or properly disposed of at hazardous waste facilities. Reuse these whenever you can!
9. Even large items like BBQ grills can be recycled as scrap metal once the propane tank has been removed.
10. Kids toys have a new life when they're donated to thrift stores like Salvation Army or local churches.
11. Recycle your old prescription bottles, they have a million uses.
12. After they've been used up, recycle your old batteries.
13. How about other plastic numbers, what do those mean? You may be able to recycle some of them.
14. Flip flops can be recycled and repurposed a number of creative and unique ways.
15. Can't figure out what to do with your old lamps, wall decor, or knick knacks? If you can't eBay them, donate them to a thrift store for charity purposes. Craigslist and Kijiji are good alternatives, too.
16. Recycle your shipping styrofoam or reuse it.
17. Window treatments have the chance to live again as you recycle your curtains into pillows.
18. Carpet can be recycled if it is clean and usable.
19. Donate it, sell it, or recycle your television.
20. Stop by an Aveda location to recycle your bottle caps.
21. The rumor has been floating around that aluminum can't be recycled. While the rules may differ per town, you can still reuse it a few times by giving it a cleaning.
22. Reuse your old jeans in these 25 ingenious methods.
23. Why trash it? Your shower curtain is a great drop cloth or apron.
24. Your ink cartridges are accepted at many different locations online and in person, like Staples.
25. You might be able to trade in your old printer for a credit on a new one. They'll recycle it for you. There's always earth911, too.
26. Tires are a must to be recycled, and it's very easy.
27. Learn how you can recycle your roof shingles to become part of our roads.
28. Make sure when installing a new car battery that the mechanic will recycle it.
29. Cardboard boxes can be taken at your local recycling station, or sent curbside if they're small enough in most instances.
30. Save your old packing peanuts and recycle them by giving them to your local shipping company. They will gladly take them off your hands.
31. Your gently used clothing can be resold on eBay, or donated.
32. Good news! #5 plastics can be recycled at many Whole Foods locations.
33. Potato chip bags and those other foil packaging that often are used to wrap up junk food can be recycled at Terracycle.net.
34. Used (many times) ziploc containers and similar disposable plasticware can be recycled usually as #1 plastics.
35. Shaving cream metal cans are accepted in most recycling facilities with other metal cans.
36. Can tabs can be recycled with your cans. Don't pull them off, that kidney dialysis machine time rumor is false.
37. You couldn't have enough options to recycle your cellphone
38. Blankets can be recycled by donating them to animal shelters (if clean).
39. Recycle your own scrap wood and furniture by reusing it, or donate it.
40. Save that box and make some Pizza box art, or maybe just recycle it if you follow these instructions.
41. Mattresses, aerosol cans, even washing machines can be recycled.
42. Bread twist ties will be your new best friend after you read these creative uses.
43. Reading glasses can be recycled and donated, and are always in demand.
44. Old books can be sold on Amazon, donated to thrift stores, donated to schools, and to hospitals. There's always the yard sale option, too.
45. Freecycle your old sports equipment.
46. Did you know your old aluminum siding could be worth a lot of money?
47. Your old greeting cards can even be recycled creatively.
48. Wrapping paper is just paper and has many ways to be reused or recycled.
49. Don't forget all types of glass bottles can be recycled -- wine bottles, jelly jars, colored glass... these are all accepted at most recycling facilities.
50. Your old screened doors have many ways that they can be recycled.
Photo of wind turbine by warrenski under Creative Commons 2.0.
Recycling Poll.. Did You Know...

Books That Will Make your Life Greener by the Page!
Be even greener and download a copy to your Kindle!
Amazon has an incredible amount of green resources in their books section. Type in "green living," "go green," or "eco friendly" under the books search to find some books (like the ones below) that reviewers recommend.
PS- All of these books are rated 4 1/2 stars or higher!
More Tips on Recycling
Going green, across the web!
- Recycling program will help fund big grant to Tainter Elementary School
- The recycle bank program in the Rice Lake area is meant to reward people for recycling. It's been going on since 2010, but now your recycling can reward a local elementary school. The free program exchanges recycling for points, which people can ...
- Scottish Government launches recycling campaign
- The Scottish Government has launched a campaign to encourage the public to recycle more, following research showing that recycling is already saving local authorities in the country £20 million a year. The campaign features an interactive recycling ...
- Seco Announces 2011 Results for N.A. Recycling Program
- Seco has released the annual results of its North American Carbide Recycling Program, revealing that the company collected and processed 57368 lb of used carbide tools in 2011. Seco has released the annual results of its North American Carbide ...
- ERM provides a good return on investment
- Environmental Resources Management, Inc. (ERM) and its demolition practice takes an innovative approach to recycling and waste management on its projects. Instead of accepting the premise that most materials will be classified as construction debris or ...
Go Further With Your Step Towards a Greener Existence!
Find more green tips on the pages below...
Going Paperless with your Reading
The Kindle DX Wireless Reader has been released to rave reviews!
The new and improved Kindle DX, the wireless reading device, has been released to much fanfare. Fast download times, easy reading, and more of it are just some of the things that you can expect. The Kindle is also extremely popular with green enthusiasts. No more buying books, no more disposing of books... it's all on your Kindle! It's easy to organize, and it's a huge step in going green.
Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G, 9.7" Display, White, 3G Works Globally – 2nd Generation
Amazon Price: $200.00 (as of 02/13/2012)![]()
* Holds up to 3500 books
* Paper like screen
* No wireless bills
* Only 18.9 ounces!
* Reads in sunlight with no glare
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle More in Your Life!
Find more ways to green up your home, office, and family!
Do You Have Any Recycling Tips of Your Own?
Leave your recycling suggestions here!

Also, you can sign up for my online newsletter here to stay in touch with TheGreenerMe, stay updated on sales notifications, and receive green tips in every newsletter!
-
Reply
-
jadehorseshoe
Dec 20, 2011 @ 3:31 pm | delete
- VERY useful info!
-
-
Reply
-
brittniehomesewn
Dec 14, 2011 @ 2:36 pm | delete
- this was a great read, thanks! :)
-
-
Reply
-
SJKRAGE Dec 13, 2011 @ 11:24 am | delete
- I loved that list of 50 things. Just had to bookmark this site!
-
-
Reply
-
Ahyat111
Dec 13, 2011 @ 10:42 am | delete
- Its important we all do our part for our beautiful planet. great lens keep it up ;)
-
-
Reply
-
athena2011
Dec 13, 2011 @ 10:23 am | delete
- I have consciously been trying to go greener with each day that passes so I truly enjoyed going through your lens and discovering the massive amount of things I can now do to live a cleaner and greener life. Thanks.
-
-
Reply
-
baby-strollers
Dec 9, 2011 @ 11:41 pm | delete
- We recycle old electronics like crazy. I used to throw out old computers, but no more.
-
-
Reply
-
seedplanter
Dec 3, 2011 @ 11:23 pm | delete
- I'm heading off to tweet this one. It's much too valuable to not share! I loved the ideas for using bread twist-ties. Would have never thought of some of those. I have a feeling you could add to this list, too. What a great variety of items we can recycle. Prescription bottles are another one with good suggestion. Thanks!
-
-
Reply
-
rauspitz
Nov 30, 2011 @ 6:45 pm | delete
- BestBuy has a recycling program for old TVs under 32 inches. Bring it in and for $10.00 they take care of it and you get a $10.00 coupon you can use at BestBuy. I have used their program and got rid of an old TV and saved $$$$$$$$ on a Blu-Ray.
-
-
Reply
-
phillip
Nov 27, 2011 @ 11:27 pm | delete
- are toilets recylable ? I am geting low flow toilet. what do I do with the old toilet?
-
-
Reply
-
seo_optimisation
Nov 21, 2011 @ 6:04 pm | delete
- Great lens, recycling is super-important, especially with all of our electronics, these should ALWAYS be sent to a green recycler.
-
-
Reply
-
markettrol
Nov 12, 2011 @ 4:10 pm | delete
- Thanks for sharing....Great lens....
-
-
Reply
-
BuddyBink
Nov 2, 2011 @ 9:27 pm | delete
- An excellent lens. There is so much we use today that can be recycled but is not and most of it people can get money for. In these tough times you would think people would pay more attention to that fact. Thank you for the lens.
-
-
Reply
-
kmcvay
Oct 31, 2011 @ 12:46 pm | delete
- Interesting new stuff - thanks!
-
-
Reply
-
stockysister
Oct 28, 2011 @ 9:22 am | delete
- This is GREAT information. I'm definitely going to be coming back to this lens. I just hate throwing things away when they could be recycled or reused. What about clamshell plastic cases? I try to avoid them, but can they be recycled? I tried to look at the "http://hubpages.com/hub/recycle-plastic" link, but it won't load (at least not on my *ahemworkcomputerahem*).
-
-
Reply
-
biggking
Oct 26, 2011 @ 11:09 pm | delete
- What most people do not know is that you can also recycle your car. If you were to either Google it or find someone local, they can dispose of your junk or unwanted vehicle quickly and in a matter that is safe for the environment.
-
- Load More
The Latest Posts from my Green Blog:
Tips, events and products to be more earth friendly!
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byWant More Green Living and Recycling Tips?
Follow me on Twitter for the Green Tip of the Day, or stop by the A Million Ways to Go Green blog for more tips and information on recycling, reusing, and green products!
Go Green with Chartreuse's Earth Friendly Products!
Eco friendly items, organics, and reusables
Chartreuse can put you on the path to a greener life with their biodegradable trash bags, paperless towels, and organic skin care products.
by TheGreenerMe
Find earth friendly products, reusables, and green gift ideas!
Green lensmasters, join the Million Ways to Go Green group on Squidoo!
Follow me on...
more »
- 134 featured lenses
- Winner of 18 trophies!
- Top lens » 50 Things You Can Recycle
- This lens »
Won purple star

Explore related pages
- 50 Things you can Reuse 50 Things you can Reuse
- A Million Ways to Go Green A Million Ways to Go Green
- The Green Tip of the Day The Green Tip of the Day
- Unique Eco Chic, Environmentally Friendly Products From Chartreuse Unique Eco Chic, Environmentally Friendly Products From Chartreuse
- 50 Things You Can Reduce 50 Things You Can Reduce
- I Am Not a Paper Cup - Reusable Porcelain Coffee Cups I Am Not a Paper Cup - Reusable Porcelain Coffee Cups











