The tiki torch gas cans, the old paint canisters, that unused TV, and the ancient computer… they are all sitting in my garage needing to be disposed. So why are they still sitting there?
Like many other people, I am not quite sure how to dispose them. But I finally got tired of them taking up space in my garage. So, I took it upon myself to find the proper ways to dispose of these items and lending a hand to keeping them out of the landfills.
Like that old TV, I found a place that takes them, fixes them up, and resells ’em. The old computer… the drop location was at my local thrift store. So, I was able to bring those bags of clothing, too.
Learn how you can reduce, reuse, and recycle with these best recycling websites:
Earth’s 911
Earth911.com is your one-stop shop for all you need to know about reducing your impact, reusing what you’ve got and recycling your trash. With their recycling database, they can help you find over 100,000 recycling locations across the country. With information provided by local governments, industry insiders, organizations and everyday consumers, you can recycle hundreds of products from packing peanuts to computers. Earth 911 knows where you need to go to get things done.
EPA Wastes
Each year, Americans generate millions of tons of waste in our homes and communities. EPA is challenging all citizens to conserve our natural resources by committing to reduce, reuse, and recycle at home, in your community, and at the office. Learn what you can do to make a difference.
1-800-Recycling.com is a dynamic recycling and green living-focused website that makes recycling, conserving, reusing and living wisely easy. The site features comprehensive recycling location database that gives the user the ability to easily assemble a recycling to-do list. The database is location based, and aims to make your recycling needs as easy as possible, whether you’re clearing out the house during spring cleaning or simply looking to recycle a few shopping bags.
Money Funk’s Pick: The 1-800-Recycling website makes it very easy to find out how to recycle items; it really is a dynamic recycling website!
One Man’s trash is another Man’s Treasure:
Try reusing and exchanging
FreeCycle
The Freecycle Network is made up of 4,793 groups with 7,208,000 members across the globe. It’s a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of the people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It’s all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills.
Thred UP
You don’t wear 25% of the clothes in your closet. Join thredUP and start exchanging them for some that you will! And now there is ThredUP for kids clothes – the way America’s busies families conveniently exchange kids clothing online.
Recycle Unwanted Electronics
For Money
Gazelle
Gazelle wants to change the world – one cell phone, one laptop, one iPod at a time. It is their purpose – and their promise – to provide a practical, rewarding way for people to finally rid themselves of all those old cell phones, digital cameras, and gaming systems that they no longer use, but can’t seem to find a way to let go of.
For items that they can’t offer any money for or don’t currently accept online, check out their Recycle Network Directory. It’s a a network of local recyclers to help you recycle those items.
Costco.com Trade-In Program
*Costco Member Exclusive
Trade-in your electronics and receive Costco Cash Cards! Costco has teamed up with Gazelle, the industry leader in electronics trade-in, to offer this program. Costco’s Trade-In Program now puts more money in your wallet. Trade-in electronic gadgets in more than 15 categories (such as laptops, cell phones, LCD monitors, digital cameras, MP3 players, gaming systems & more) for Costco Cash good for anything in Costco warehouses or at Costco.com.
Non-Monetary
You could also recycle electronics at Best Buy, Office Depot, and Staples.
Do you know of a great way to recycle or reuse an item? Or know of another great recycling website to add to this list? Please share in the comment section below.
Example: Beer/Soda tabs make great picture hangers for frames (yes, if you look at the many frames hanging on my walls, you will see I use tabs specifically for this use. Please, don’t drop the frame when you come over to check it out. ;))
