Things you didn't know you could recycle!

There are many things most people already know they can recycle like paper, glass, certain plastics, cardboard boxes and aluminum; however there are many other things you can recycle. Actually, you can recycle most things, you just have to figure out where to take it and who accepts it. For the things you can’t recycle you can try to reuse it by repurposing it, giving it away to someone else who can  use it or giving it to your local Goodwill to see if they can find someone who wants or needs the item. Here is a great list to refer to if you want to start recycling things you have laying around your house that you don’t use or need anymore and you didn’t know they could be recycled:

• Appliances: Goodwill accepts working appliances, www.goodwill.org, or you can contact the Steel Recycling Institute to recycle them. 800/YES-1-CAN, www.recycle-steel.org.
• Batteries: Rechargeables and single-use: Battery Solutions, 734/467-9110, www.batteryrecycling.com.
• CDs/DVDs/Game Disks: Send scratched music or computer CDs, DVDs, and PlayStation or Nintendo video game disks to AuralTech for refinishing, and they’ll work like new: 888/454-3223, www.auraltech.com.
• Compact fluorescent bulbs: Take them to your local IKEA store for recycling: www.ikea.com.
• Computers and electronics: Find the most responsible recyclers, local and national, at www.ban.org/pledge/Locations.html.
• Eyeglasses: Your local Lion’s Club or eye care chain may collect these. Lenses are reground and given to people in need. One store chain that collects them is For Eyes. Foreyes.com
• Foam packing: Your local pack-and-ship store will likely accept foam peanuts for reuse. Or, call the Plastic Loose Fill Producers Council to find a drop-off site: 800/828-2214. For places to drop off foam blocks for recycling, contact the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers, 410/451-8340, www.epspackaging.org/info.html
• Ink/toner cartridges: Recycleplace.com pays $1/each.
• Oil: Find Used Motor Oil Hotlines for each state: 202/682-8000, www.recycleoil.org
• Phones: Donate cell phones: Collective Good will refurbish your phone and sell it to someone in a developing country: 770/856-9021, www.collectivegood.com. Call to Protect reprograms cell phones to dial 911 and gives them to domestic violence victims: www.donateaphone.com. Recycle single-line phones: Reclamere, 814/386-2927, www.reclamere.com.
• Trade your phone, Ipod or other devices for points on Swagbucks, go to www.swagbucks.com.
• Sports equipment: Resell or trade it at your local Play It Again Sports outlet, 800/476-9249, www.playitagainsports.com.
• Tennis shoes: Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program turns old shoes into playground and athletic flooring. www.nikereuseashoe.com. One World Running will send still-wearable shoes to athletes in need in Africa, Latin America, and Haiti. www.oneworldrunning.com
• Toothbrushes and razors: Buy a recycled-plastic toothbrush or razor from Recycline, and the company will take it back to be recycled again into plastic lumber. Recycline products are made from used Stonyfield Farms’ yogurt cups. 888/354-7296, www.recycline.com.