13 Household Items You Probably Didn’t Know You Can Recycle

Recycling is more important now than ever before. With climate change making the future more uncertain, it’s critical everyone works to reduce waste and carbon emissions. One great way to help do this daily is to recycle materials rather than throw them in the trash. You might already recycle obvious items like glass jars, cardboard boxes, and plastic bottles. If, however, you want to take your recycling to the next level, you should learn about the items that you probably didn’t know you could recycle.

Some popular household items you probably didn’t know you could recycle include clothing hangers, energy-saving light bulbs, and bubble wrap. Many programs and companies will recycle specific items, including old sneakers, wine corks, and even cigarette butts. There are charities that will accept donations of old items like bras and eyeglasses to give them another life. You can even recycle old televisions and mattresses.

These days, more items can be recycled than ever before. This is thanks to different organizations and programs pitching in to make it possible for more products to live a second life. The key is knowing what household items are recyclable and how you can get rid of them without sending them to a landfill. Below is a list of items you likely have in your home that you might not know you can recycle. 

13 Items In The Home You Didn’t Know You Can Recycle

1. Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs

Energy-efficient light bulbs are becoming a standard in many homes. They are well made, last a long time, and use less electricity than older bulbs. These attributes alone should be enough to make everyone want to buy them, but there is another benefit to these bulbs — you can recycle them.

Unlike older types of light bulbs, it is possible to recycle many energy-efficient light bulbs. You can bring your used energy-efficient light bulbs to many larger recycling centers throughout the country. 

2. Bubble Wrap

In the modern age of online shopping, there are more cardboard boxes and yards of bubble wrap entering the home than ever before. Cardboard is easily recyclable, but did you know you can also recycle bubble wrap?

When you order packages online, the bubble wrap it comes in often has a recycling symbol on it, and it might be safe to put it out on the curb with the rest of your week’s recycling. Even without a freecycle label, it can be recycled. It may be classified as a #4 plastic, which can be dropped off with other plastic films (plastic bread bags, etc.) at your nearest plastic recycling facility.

3. To-Go Coffee Cups

In this busy modern age, many people choose to get their coffee on the road. To make the smallest carbon footprint, it’s best to use a reusable mug, but this isn’t always possible. Most takeaway coffees are served in paper cups with plastic lids. While this might seem wasteful, you’ll be happy to know you can recycle these cups.

You can usually place both the cup and the lid in your regular recycle bin. The paper is no problem, but check the plastic lid to ensure it is a #1 or #2 plastic.

4. Batteries

Disposing of batteries can be tricky. You can’t put them in a recycling bin, and some batteries can even damage the soil in a landfill. While disposing of batteries can be tough, the good news is that you might be able to recycle them.

Both rechargeable and single-use batteries can be recycled, just not in the classical sense. Several companies will take your old batteries and reuse them. Check with your local recycling center or online to find where you can bring or send your dead batteries to be recycled.

5. Bras

Many people bring old clothes to thrift stores and other charity organizations, but this doesn’t usually include undergarments like bras. While second-hand stores usually don’t take bras, some charities will be happy to take your unwanted undergarments.

There are multiple charitable organizations you can send your used but still functional bras. These organizations work to give these undergarments to people in need.

6. Coffee Pods

If you own a Keurig, then you are probably wondering what you can do with your old K-cups. The small pods that brew your coffee each day can quickly add up over time. You can’t throw these pods in the recycling bin, as they are comprised of several elements, including coffee grounds. 

Instead, you can separate the parts, dispose of the aluminum top, compost your coffee grounds, and then place the plastic in the recycling bin. Certain brands, including Nespresso, have recycling programs you can participate in.

7. Clothes Hangers

If you are moving or upgrading your hangers, you will need to do something with all your old hangers. Throwing them away seems like a waste, and it is. There is no need for your perfectly good old plastic hangers to go to waste.

You can give them away or donate them, and you can also recycle many old hangers. You usually can’t put hangers directly in your recycle bin, but you can bring them to many recycling centers. If you have metal hangers, you can ask nearby scrap metal facilities if they will take them.

8. Sneakers

You might think once your sneakers are old and raggedy that they are ready for a trash can. You certainly can’t toss them in a recycling bin. But did you know that several companies, including Nike, will recycle your old kicks?

Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program allows you to recycle your old sneakers and allows Nike to use the materials to make new products. If your sneakers are still in decent condition, numerous charities will find them a new home.

9. Cigarette Butts

Not only is smoking bad for your body, but it’s also bad for the environment. There are billions of cigarette butts on the ground around the world. If you are a smoker but want to do your part to reverse climate change, you might be interested to learn you can recycle your cigarette butts.

Organizations like TerraCycle will take old cigarette butts and make new items and plastics from the remnants.

10. Wine Corks

Wine corks are quite a commodity these days. Hundreds of DIY projects involve these small objects, which makes them easier than ever to recycle. Some corks can be placed directly in your recycling bin, especially if they are made from actual wood. Other corks can be donated, or used in a fun DIY project.

11. Mattresses

Old mattresses are one of the largest household items you need to replace. They are heavy and bulky. It makes sense that you don’t want to add a bed to your local landfill. You can’t add a mattress to your recycling bin, but there are many ways to recycle them.

Some recycling facilities take used mattresses. Additionally, many charities and organizations will take used mattresses, even if they are old.

12. Televisions

With television technology constantly advancing, it’s quite normal to buy a new TV before you need one. If you are sick of wasting a lot of time online trying to sell an old TV just to make a few bucks, consider donating it or recycling it. Several companies recycle old TVs and use parts to make new ones. If it still works, donate your old TV to a good cause.

13. Eye Glasses

It’s easy to recycle glass, but eyeglasses can be more challenging. If your eyeglasses still work, you can send them to a charity that will find someone in need who can use your prescription. Alternatively, you can send old or even broken eyeglasses to a glasses recycling center, where they will reuse what they can, and recycle the rest.

Wrapping Up Household Items You Didn’t Know You Can Recycle

If you are trying to create less trash, it pays to learn all the items you can recycle. While cardboard and plastics are obvious, there are many household items you probably didn’t know you could recycle. From mattresses to energy-efficient light bulbs, there are many items in the home you can recycle or easily donate. You can even recycle old hangers, sneakers, and even cigarette butts.

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