Earth Day 2016.
In honor of Earth Day, Simple Truth’s Green Team is talking recycling. If you already use your city’s recycling service, pat yourself on the back. In part because you’re keeping a lot of nasty stuff out of landfills. And in (the other?) part because you’ve mastered the complexities of what can and cannot be recycled in your city. (Check out Recycle by City for help!)
Maybe you even have a compost pile in your yard — or you pay a composting service — to recycle your food waste. That’s amazing. Just doing these two things helps to conserve resources, save energy and reduce your environmental impact.
But guess what? There’s more! Yes, really. Get ready to be surprised by some of the other things you can keep out of landfills.
1. Corks
Wine corks can be recycled and used in a variety of materials, including flooring tiles, insulation, automotive parts and sports equipment.
2. Eyeglasses
Great organizations here and here.
3. Pens, markers and highlighters
Click through to see the art!
5. Pantyhose
Used pantyhose can be turned into park benches, playground equipment, carpets, ropes and even toys. Who knew?
6. Old or unwanted bras
They can keep supporting the girls. And freeing them.
7. Old holiday/string lights
Your local grocery or hardware store may offer seasonal holiday light recycling. The rest of the year, you can send off your lights for recycling and get a discount on new LEDs in the process.
8. CDs and DVDs
They’re made of recyclable plastic but are rarely recycled. Discs are ground into a gravel-like substance, which is sold to companies that melt it down and convert it to usable plastic.
9. Tennis balls
They can be broken down and turned into new court surfaces.
10. Brita filters
The outer casing of Brita water filters is made of polypropylene plastic, which is not widely recycled. Drop off the filters at a Whole Foods store or mail them to Preserve Products to be made into toothbrushes.
11. Unwanted or unused prescription medicine
Make the most of local take-back programs: April 30 is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in the US!
12. Keys
Instead of throwing them out, unlock the eradication of hunger.
13. Running shoes
If they’re wrecked.
If they’re still wearable.
14. Broken crayons
They’re melted down and turned into new ones.
15. Batteries and cell phones (But start with local appliance and drug stores.)
16. Packing peanuts
Many companies that use these are happy to reuse them. So send them back — they’re nasty.
17. Small appliances
19. VHS tapes and other tech-related waste
The tapes are taken apart, shredded and then turned into all kinds of useful things like product packaging.
20. Trophies
Especially the ones you got just for showing up. 🙂