We are all aware about the benefits of recycling and know of all the common objects and articles that can be recycled. Plastic bags, old newspapers, cardboard boxes, clothes can be reused to produce new products. However, there are many objects that are thrown out every day that can be recycled instead. They accumulate as waste and are even more harmful if they are made of non biodegradable substances. Letâs take a look at a few things that we never thought could be recycled.
1. Bricks used in construction
The bricks that we build structures with can be recycled and the good news is that such eco friendly bricks are also cheaper. You do not have to compromise on the quality or the overall appearance either while using such bricks. Also, it helps to reduce emission of greenhouse gases and contributes towards energy conservation. When old bricks are used for manufacturing, lesser amount of energy is required to produce the new product and a smaller amount of greenhouse gases are released. Many companies like Eco Bricks, Austral Bricks and Midland Bricks are into this business.
2. Clothe Hangers in your wardrobe
Even metal hangers used to hand clothes in your closet can be recycled, this should not come as a surprise since all of us know about metal recycling. But how can we do this. Firstly, try to take them to your local dry cleaner and enquire if they recycle these. Dry cleaners need scores of hangers to keep their business running, of course! Otherwise, locate a metal scrap yard in your vicinity. If all efforts fail, get in touch with a nonprofit environment protection group. In fact, even if your hangers are made out of wood or plastic they are recyclable. Find out of places which accept wooden and plastic products for recycling. Majority of homes do not recycle their hangers, therefore take up this pursuit and spread the word.
3. Eyeglasses or Specs
Most of us just throw out our old pair of eyeglasses, but even they can be recycled. There are a lot of people out there who do not have eyeglasses; you can donate your pair to some who needs it. Find out about an organization in your locality that accepts eye glasses. Lion Club, LensCrafter, and Medical Ministry International are some of the groups that accept this donation.
4. Roof Shingles
Are you remodeling or renovating your house? Are there roof shingles you are going to throw away? Just hold your breath because even these can be recycled. A number of organizations like American Roofing Recyclers, Crutchall Resource Recycling LLC, CalRecycle, etc are into this unique trend. They even pay you by weight for these used shingles. The money given out depends on the amount and type of shingles provided. This helps tremendously to reduce the amount of dump on our landfills.
5. Ink Cartridges
Even inkjet cartridges can be reused and recycled. They form a part of waste dumped daily on our landfills. Due to the plastic they are non biodegradable. Just find out about the local environment support group that accepts them, you can also contact the Environment Protection Agency for the same.
6. Bottle Caps
Even bottle caps can be recycled, companies like Aveda reprocesses plastic caps on bottles. The plastic the caps are made of is different from the kind used in bottles and is known as polypropylene. Not every plastic recycler therefore reuses these and sometimes they end up being dumped in landfills again. So, the next time you give bottles for recycling, find out if they will reuse the bottle caps also.
7. VHS Tapes
With the advent of DVD players, VHS tapes have become a thing of the past. There are a number of organizations that accept these like Green Disk, Freecycle, etc. You can also sell them to thrift stores of give them out to groups who reuse them and make articles like bags and scarecrows. Try to give them out to charities and shelters like salvation army.
