While a huge portion of the world’s population is stuck at home, many are keeping themselves busy with DIY projects or extreme spring cleaning.
Here is a list of 50 things you can either reuse or recycle. It includes things found all over the house, and even things in the garage. And once you have made more space, maybe you’ll be in a position to help jumpstart the economy by shopping for things to fill it.
One note, though. Many places are closed now, and even some that are open won’t be accepting things that may be germ ridden. So the immediate usefulness of the list may depend on where you live.
1. Cars
If you have an old clunker that isn’t worth selling, don’t just send it to the scrap yard. There are several charitable organizations that will take it off your hands. And besides, it’s better for the environment.
2. Clothes
You may know someone personally that you can hand off gently worn clothes to. But what if you don’t? Like cars, there are many charitable organizations that would be happy to take them off your hands.
3. Christmas Trees
Check with your city to see if they have a local drop off for recycling trees. There are also veteran organizations that take old trees and make them into handcrafted canes.
4. Food
No, we are not suggesting you give your old food away. What you can do is start composting your scraps. This leaves you with an excellent fertilizer for your lawn and gardens. And it’s free!
5. Food containers
Whether it’s old Rubbermaid, jars, bottles, cardboard or cereal boxes, check the labeling. If it can be recycled, don’t just throw it in the trash.
6. Computers
What to do with the old one when you upgrade? First, you want to make sure you wipe the drive. One of the easiest methods is just reinstalling the OS. Then check with local libraries to see if they can use it. If not, connect with tech stores in your area to see if they have a recycling program.
7. Cell phones
Do you upgrade every year? Then you may have a cell phone graveyard at home. Check around with local charities, you should be able to find someone who will take them. Charities that assist women in need will often take them.
8. Smoke detectors
Don’t just throw the old one out when it comes time to replace it. In some cases the manufacturer will take them back, so be sure to check.
9. Ink Cartridges
Call your local office supply store. They will often take them back, and some will even pay you a small fee for them.
10. Tires
Tires should never go to a landfill if at all possible. They are terrible for the environment. There are many recycling centers that will take them off your hands.
11. Telephones
Ditching your landline? Then you might wonder what to do with your old phone. There are places where you can donate them where they will be refurbished or used for parts.
12. Magazines
You have a choice here. They can go in your curbside bin, or check with local schools and libraries to see if they will take donations.
13. Foam packing materials
After you chase down the packaging popcorn that flew out of your delivery box, what do you do with it? Don’t throw it away. Most shipping businesses will gladly take it off your hands.
14. Fluorescent bulbs
Since they contain mercury, these can be dangerous to just throw away. Check with your local waste recycler and see if they take hazardous waste. You can drop the bulbs there. The mercury can be used to make new bulbs.
15. Paint
This is another hazardous waste, so don’t put it down the drain. Many recycling centers will accept old paint. In some cases they will resell it.
16. PDAs
Still have an old school PDA hanging around? Much like cell phones they can be given to charities or recycled for parts.
17. Motor Oil
Like to save money and change your own oil? Good for you! Just don’t flush the old oil down a storm drain. Most auto parts stores will take it for free.
18. Bathtubs, toilets, and sinks
Doing a bathroom reno? If you have any salvage stores in your area, check to see if they will take old fixtures.
19. Books
Check with your local library first. Then you can try schools and charities. Paperbacks can also go in your recycle bin, but check before adding hard covers.
20. Carpets and rugs
For those in the states you can check with the Carpet America Recovery Effort or the UGA Carpet Recycling Resource. They would rather take them and recycle them than see them end up in landfill.
21. Batteries
First, consider rechargeable batteries. If your city or town doesn’t pick up batteries a few times a year like mine does, many recycling centers and auto parts stores will take them back.
22. Plastic bags
You can, of course, keep some to reuse, but don’t just throw the rest away. Check with your supermarket and see if they have a place to drop off used—even torn—bags.
23. CDs and DVDs
You can include old game discs here too. Check to see if you have a local shop that sells secondhand discs. Some places will even take them if they are damaged.
24. Hangers
There are dry cleaners everywhere. Check with a few in your neighborhood, since there is a good chance they will take them off your hands.
25. Mattresses
Many charitable organizations and homeless shelters are glad to take them. And don’t worry, they get cleaned, sanitized, and refurbished before they are reused.
26. Leaves
What to do with all those leaves once you have raked them up? Assuming you don’t have bags and bags of them, add them to your compost. If you’re fortunate, you have curbside pickup for them every fall.
27. BBQ propane tanks
If you have a tank you can no longer use, do not just throw it out. Check with you local gas or propane supply company. They will take them.
28. Sewing machines
Depending on the machine it may have a lot of metal. If so, any scrap metal dealer will take it.
29. Styrofoam containers
First, check the stamp on the bottom to be sure. In many cases these can be put out at the curb or a local recycling center should take them.
30. Televisions
Do you have an old TV that still works? Donate it. If it doesn’t, many big electronics stores have a recycling program. Our check with your local recycling center.
31. Fencing
Time to redo the fence around the yard? Contact your local bulk waste or recycling center to see if they will take the old fence material.
32. Fire extinguishers
These would be classified as hazardous waste, so your options are limited. Contact your local hazardous waste depot.
33. Grass clippings
If you don’t have a mulching mower, you can rake up your clippings. Simply add them to your compost.
34. Aluminum cans
No, you don’t crush them against your forehead. Or between your breasts—I kid you not. Some woman does this. You know they go in the recycle bin, right?
35. Old toys
There are many organizations that will collect these, especially around Christmas. So when your kids are tired of them, pass them on to someone in need.
36. Fluorescent bulbs
The mercury in these bulbs makes them hazardous waste. Don’t put them in your regular garbage, check with you local recycling center and they will tell you what to do with them.
37. Paper
It doesn’t matter what kind—and you likely have all kinds of paper around your house. Simply add it to your bin for curbside pickup.
38. Cardboard boxes
There are a lot of places that collect boxes. Some non-profits will take them to use. And some office places have programs where boxes are collected monthly from UsedCardboardBoxes.com.
39. Shoes
As long as they haven’t been worn to death, thrift shops will often take them. Nike also has a program that sends used athletic shoes to Africa and Latin America.