10 Common Household Items You Didn’t Know You Could Recycle
We all know the basics of recycling paper, plastic bottles, and glass jars are straightforward enough. But what about those household items that tend to collect dust in the corner or end up in the bin when they really shouldn’t? As we become increasingly aware of our environmental footprint, it’s more important than ever to consider what we’re tossing out. For most household items there will likely be an option to Recycle, Reuse, Donate, or the correct way to dispose of the items. 10 of the most commonly used items are listed below that you didn’t know you could recycle. Spare a few minutes and have a read.
Here’s a list of Common Household items you might be surprised to learn you can recycle.
1. Batteries Drop off Points
Batteries are one of those items that many of us don’t think twice about binning. However, tossing them in with your general rubbish is a big no-no. Batteries contain hazardous materials like lead and mercury, which can leach into the soil and water. Many local councils provide battery recycling schemes, and you can often drop them off at supermarkets and electronics stores. Click here to find your nearest drop-off point.
2. Disposing of Light Bulbs
While incandescent bulbs are largely a thing of the past, energy-efficient ones are now the norm. However, many of us are unaware that they should be recycled differently from regular glass. Fluorescent bulbs, for instance, contain small amounts of mercury, making proper disposal essential. Look for dedicated recycling points at hardware stores or council facilities.
3. Old Mobile Phones, re-home, Donate & Recycle.
Got an old mobile or two stashed away in a drawer? Don’t let them gather dust—recycle them! Depending on the phone you have, if it is in working order and many other factors see what you can do with the item. Mobile phones contain precious metals and other materials that can be repurposed. Many charities and retailers offer schemes where you can drop off or post your old devices; some even offer a small reward or donation to a good cause. Mobile phones in good working order, can be collected alongside other electrical devices. Proceeds from your electrical contributions will help raise funding for our partnered charities. To read a bit more about the electrical devices we can collect, click here.
4. Re-using Cooking Oil
You might not think of used cooking oil as something you can recycle, but it is. Pouring it down the sink can cause all sorts of plumbing nightmares, not to mention environmental harm. Instead, store your used oil in a sealed container and take it to your local recycling centre. It can be turned into biodiesel, a renewable energy source.
5. Textiles and Clothing Recycling or Donating
Even the most well-worn clothing and textiles can find a new lease of life through recycling. Those that can’t be reused are often repurposed into cleaning cloths or insulation materials. We will collect all items of clothing that are in re-wearable condition and good enough to go to a new home and be worn again. Our partnered charities will benefit from your donations. To read all about the different types of clothing we collect read here.
6. Spectacles
If you wear glasses, chances are you’ve got an old pair or two lying around that no longer matches your prescription. Don’t throw them out—opticians often collect old spectacles, glasses, and sunglasses even if they are broken or damaged. We will collect glasses and sunglasses in good working order ready to be worn by somebody new!
7. Electronics and Cables
In our tech-savvy world, it’s easy to accumulate a tangled mess of old cables and outdated electronics. Rather than consigning them to the rubbish heap, take them to a designated e-waste recycling point. These items are often rich in materials like copper and can be dismantled and repurposed.
8. Toothbrushes and Toothpaste Tubes
This might be news to many, but certain toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes can be recycled. Some brands offer specific take-back programmes, and there are even recycling schemes that accept oral care products. It’s a simple step towards reducing the amount of plastic waste we generate.
9. Ink Cartridge Recycling
If you’ve got a home printer, you’ll know how quickly those ink cartridges get used up. Instead of binning them, check to see if the manufacturer offers a recycling programme, many do. Some office supply stores also accept used cartridges, sometimes offering a discount on new ones in exchange.
10. Wine Corks
Finally, for wine enthusiasts among us, corks are another item that can be recycled. Natural corks can be turned into various products, from flooring to pinboards. Check for a collection point at your local wine shop or recycling centre.
All of these items tend to be common household items, recycle them! Or Donate and let them be reused and re-homed. We want to be able to teach the UK, how they can help better their recycling regime. We can collect small household items in good working order, our service is a free doorstep collection right from your home. All you have to do is book a collection on your suited date, select a charity to support and we will do the rest.
Charity Doorstep Collection:
Recycling is about more than just sorting out the obvious items. Start your recycling, re-homing, and donating journey with just one of the 10 Common Household items to recycle, listed above. By considering what we’re throwing away and exploring local recycling options, we can all do our bit to reduce waste and protect the environment. Next time you’re about to throw something into the bin, take a moment to think, can this be recycled? The answer might just surprise you.
At Anglo Doorstep Collections we collect items in good condition that can be re-homed. These items are clothes, shoes, and small household items. Proceeds from your donated items go to our partnered charities. For a full detailed list please click here.
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