Even the most eco-savvy shopper sometimes has stuff hanging out in the garage that shouldn't be thrown away. What to do with it? Before getting rid of that stuff, learn what recycling, reusing, and repurposing really mean. Even things that can safely be thrown away doesn't necessarily mean they have to be thrown away. Is there somewhere to actually recycle keys that no longer open doors or those annoying styrofoam packing peanuts? There is! And the San Francisco Recycling Examiner is here to help you clean out your closets and garages without filling up the dumpster.
Foam packing peanuts can be returned to certain UPS stores for reuse. As each UPS store is an independent franchise, check before showing up with a truckload of the packing material. Most stores will, however. accept them and either reuse them in packaging or recycle them for you free of charge. Find a UPS location near you.
Even those that aren't wine drinkers seem to have a cork or two hanging around. But for those that drink wine with dinner every night or consider themselves knowledgeable wine taster, the corks can pile up fast. There are some great crafts out there using corks, but after awhile, the drawer full of corks has got to go. Cork Reharvest is an organization that collects used corks and redistributes them to organizations that use them in various ways. Cork Reharvest also works to educate the public about cork forests and sustaining those forests. Whole Foods is one of the partners working with Cork Reharvest by supplying drop-off locations. Find a drop-off location near you.
One lady's medical diagnosis led to the creation of Keys for Kindness, a group that collects metal keys, scraps the metal and donates the money to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Who doesn't have a junk drawer with at least two or three keys that no longer start a car or unlock a door? This mission that started in 2008 continues on in hopes that while helping out the environment, they will also be helping to find a cure for MS. Find out how you can donate your keys.
Baby Earth Renew actually recycles car seats, strollers, and baby swings. This company located in Round Rock, Texas will take these baby items, disassemble them and recycle the parts. In gratitude of recycling these huge items that may otherwise end up in the landfill, Baby Earth will send a coupon for $5 off any purchase from their earth-friendly store. Visit the Baby Earth website to view all the products they carry.
Comments
I have recycled all my life, even before it became popular....thanks for the article!
I have recycled all my life, even before it became popular....thanks for the article!
I didn't know that about the car seats. I have car seats that I don't want to throw away, because I'm afraid someone will get them out of the trash (you know, like people do on trash day with furniture and other high dollar items) and use them, and it just isn't safe to use car seats after a certain point. But they need to go!
This is awesome info about recycling.. I have a giant jar of wine corks next to the wine rack.. what does that say?? :)
Love these brilliant ideas about recycling. Esp. the one for baby gear. A lot of Goodwill places won't take it -- car seats in particular -- because they can't resell it. Good info to know about recycling those less common items we all seem to have.
Wow, this is fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
Winona Home and Living
Great ideas.
cool article and new ideas to recycle more things; like the keys.
I've loved recycling and frugality my whole life as it was taught to me at a very young age but most of all I've fallen in love with repurposed crafts! I use an awesome site to find all these cool free items http://www.ecofreek.com . Will ya let me know what you think?
enjoy!
-Siobain
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