5 Ways To Recycle Your Old Stuff Instead of Throwing It Out

As part of Lent a few years ago, my sister and I decided to clear our homes for 40 days each day. I didn’t want to throw everything in the landfill, so I had to find creative ways to remove stuff from my house. It made me think about how to use old things for new purposes, and over the past few years I have been raising my awareness of reducing waste without waste.

(I also highly recommend the 40 day throw away challenge, it made me feel so much better!)

Here are five ideas on how to recycle.

1. Utilize resale sites

Thanks to the internet, reselling products has become very easy. Beware of scams. There are many options, but my favorite is the Facebook Marketplace. Baby clothes, furniture, anything! Many communities also have “buy nothing” groups where you can gift items or give away something for free at Next Door.

2. Donate to nonprofits

Many gently used items can be donated to non-profit organizations that help people. For example, a foster care agency may need children’s clothing or a crib. Bottles and carefully used women’s clothing may be needed in homes that provide shelter for women fleeing abuse. Animal shelters usually provide items such as blankets and towels. Goodwill and the Salvation Army are always a possibility too!

3sell old textbooks

Do you have old textbooks sitting collecting dust from college? I did and I learned that you can actually sell them back! I used Go Textbooks. This allowed me to look up the book’s ISBN and know exactly how much I was getting.

4. Sell old DVDs and games

There is a store in my town that sells used or old DVDs and video games that you can buy on the spot. I was able to make some cash by selling boxes of games I no longer use there.

5. Research!

It’s amazing how nonprofits and businesses are recycling in amazingly creative ways right now. For example, TerraCycle™ develops recycling solutions for waste streams that normally cannot be recycled on the street, and offers manufacturers to transform those items into everything from outdoor furniture and decks to playgrounds. Some communities have TerraCycle drop-off boxes. Alternatively, you can order and fill out a zero waste box that will be delivered to your home.

There are many creative companies working to find new and innovative ways to recycle. Find someone on a mission you love and support them!

As I recycle more, I am also thinking more carefully about my purchases. We are switching to more sustainable items, such as choosing reusable water bottles and avoiding single-use plastic. Any little help!

Rebecca Jaciuk Macaroni Kid Downriver, Michigan.