Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1516348
How to recycle stuff you don't want or can't use. Did you know that 80% of the world's waste can be recycled? That's right; you can recycle so much more than the regular recyclables we're all aware of, like paper, glass, and cans. Here are seven everyday household items you can start recycling to reduce your carbon footprint and make a difference. RECYCLING RIGHT PINCH OF GOODNESS Batteries Disposing of batteries can be a head-scratcher. Although they can be recycled, you shouldn't toss them in your curbside bin. Instead, Call2Recycle®, the United States' top battery recycling program, can take standard or specialty batteries off your hands. Simply drop them off at a convenient location near you or ship them in to be recycled. Books Because paper and cardboard are recyclable materials, you can recycle books once you've finished reading them or no longer need them on your shelf. Paperbacks can go right into your curbside recycling bin, but hardcover pages must be removed from the bindings first. Or, if your books are still in decent condition, allow others to enjoy them by donating to a local school, thrift store, charity, or Little Free Library. COMING HOME MAGAZINE 31 Clothes Clothing and textiles are some of the most commonly found items in landfills, so recycle your old or outgrown clothing responsibly. If your clothes are still wearable, consider donating them to thrift stores or shelters, selling them to online resale stores, or passing them down to family and friends. For stained or damaged textiles, research stores or municipal recycling centers that resell the salvage to secondhand clothing recyclers who can convert them into other items, like wiping rags, home insulation, or carpet padding. Ink Cartridges Recycling objects with electronic components (like ink cartridges) can be tough, as they can contaminate water and soil as they decompose. Luckily, many manufacturers, like Dell and HP, and major office supply stores accept empty ink cartridges via mail or drop-off and recycle them for you. Kitchen Appliances Has your old coffee maker finally bitten the dust? Don't go hauling it out to the garbage yet. Many kitchen appliances, such as toaster ovens, microwaves, stoves, and ovens, can be recycled, donated, or safely disposed of through various programs. Some of these options include manufacturer or retail trade-ins, where they take your old appliances when you purchase new ones. Another option is selling your device for parts to a local scrap yard, electronic parts store, or thrift shop. Paint Whether you just finished remodeling or your paint sample jars are sitting in the garage, keeping paint around your house isn't doing you any good—but letting it contaminate a landfill isn't, either. Donate gently used paint to organizations like Habitat for Humanity, charities, or theatres. As for oil-based paint, check with your local hazardous waste collector for drop-off locations. Phones When it's time for an upgrade, you have several choices to prevent your old phone from ending up in a forgotten drawer. Numerous mobile carriers provide buyback, trade-in, or recycling initiatives, so it's worth asking them about what they can do. Additionally, Call2Recycle® offers recycling programs for phones, and ecoATM has over 5,000 phone-recycling kiosks.