The (Hidden) Value of Recycling

It began with a movement in the 1970’s – like all of the great movements. Recycling saw its first “Earth Day” during the decade and over time would become an industry. In the most general of terms, products that are recycled today fall into several categories:

• Plastics
• Metals
• Glass
• Packaging, and
• Paper

Aside from these ‘categories,’ however, in recent years the idea of ‘repurposing’ or ‘reusing’ has been talked about.

Reduce - reuse - recycle
Often called ‘upcycling’, reusing items rather than forcing them into a landfill, is a smart, sustainable alternative in the recycle game. One of the most popular items to upcycle is furniture. If you have a local online community website, there are lots of folks who look for old dressers, chairs, cabinets to refinish/sell or build into amazing art to give it a second life. Other items for upcycling can include:

• Books
• Games
• Music/Movies
• Baby gear
• Shoes/clothing
• Jars/glasses
• Flatware
• Frames

During your next basement, garage or attic cleanout, take a hard look at what you’ve got. It may be easier and better for the environment to consider donating or repurposing than just tossing! Just because you’re not crafty – doesn’t mean hope is lost. Need some inspiration? This should get the creative juices flowing:

• Bring your blankets and towels to a local shelter that will be glad to put them to good use and give animals a soft, warm place to sit
• Reuse paper bags as school book covers
• Reuse pens and art supplies by donating them to local schools
• Reuse your used margarine and butter tubs by cleaning them and keeping them for leftovers
• Reuse old clothing by donating it to a local charity
• Reuse your old paint by finding things to paint in your home, touch up, or donate it to a local charity
• Never throw away an old book, donate it to a library or to your recycling center, or a school - they can reuse it
• Reuse your old electronics by selling them on Craigslist or on eBay
• Reuse old glass containers with lids and save them for leftovers, or, make your own jam or jelly. Food safe airtight glass containers would be great for storing rice, pasta, sugar, and flour.
• Reuse your old toothbrush and use it to clean hard to reach areas like around the sink, your drains, faucets, and grout
• Sell or donate your old cellphone to the one of many companies out there
• Sell old clothing and let others reuse it, provided it looks good still
• If you receive a gift in a gift bag, save it for another occasion and reuse that bag!

Hopefully you can see beyond the trash pile and consider reusing, donating or upcycling items found during your next purge. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure – and you may be sitting on one right now!