A Pretty Thorough Guide to Recycling Just About Anything

American’s throw away a staggering amount of trash. In fact the average American throws away 1500 pounds of trash yearly. The good news is that nearly everything you use in daily life can be given a second life through recycling. Some things need to be broken down into the plastic, glass or metal they are made of. Others are given a second life, and sometimes a third and fourth life by donating them to others, or to charity. This guide is the first part of a series that will educate you on how to cut down on waste in landfills by recycling countless household items.

Aerosol Spray Cans: If you have an aerosol can that is totally empty you can deposit it at a nearby recycling facility or drop it in your recycling bin for the recycling truck. In the USA more than 5,300 communities offer curbside recycling. Some cities even offer buy-back programs for spray cans and give you a few cents for every one you return. If you want to recycle your aerosol can, just pull the spray cap off and be certain the can is empty.

Antiperspirant or deodorant sticks: Take a look at the bottom of your antiperspirant. If it has a dial on the bottom, it’s likely that dial is made from a non-recyclable plastic. Simply remove it before you place the applicator in the plastic recycling bin. The Tom’s of Maine brand sells deodorant stick whose packaging is made solely of recyclable plastic #5, and Kiss My Face makes a roll on applicator that is completely biodegradable.

Backpacks: Here’s an interesting twist on recycling - give your old backpack a second life by donating it to the American Birding Association. They’ll take it and turn it over to a researcher who will use it while they track neotropical avian behavior. Also, keep an eye out for events hosted by the Great American Backpack Exchange. Take your gently used backpack or book bag to these events and they’ll be put to use by students and needy children.

Batteries: It is essential that you recycle batteries. Single use household batteries are manufactured using materials that are hazardous to the environment. But they are also recyclable. Look in the yellow pages or online for a household hazardous waste facility close to home. Many stores also recycle batteries - office supply stores, hardware stores and auto supply stores to name a few. Many of these stores are also collection centers for rechargeable batteries. Car batteries contain toxic chemicals and metals like lead, so you can’t put them in landfills. Thankfully almost any store who sells car batteries will collect them for recycling.

Beach Balls: Beach balls are plastic, yes. But no, at this writing an official Beach Ball Recycling Center doesn’t exist. That we know of! The best way to recycle that old beach ball - donate it to a thrift store, or put a patch on it and give it away.

Books: You can recycle paperback books in your curbside recycling bin. You can do the same with hardcover books, but you have to remove the cover first. But the best way to recycle a book is to make it available for someone else to read. Here are a few ideas: Donate used books to a library or school. Give them to a charity thrift store. Donate them to a hospital, hospice or assisted living center. You can even trade your books with other readers, or sell them on eBay or Craigslist.

Carpeting (nylon): The Carpet America Recovery Effort is an group whose mission is to recycle carpet and keep it out of the dump. Go online to carpetrecovery.org to find a carpet reclamation partner close by. While you’re on the site check out the cool counter that ticks off how many pounds of carpet have been kept out of a landfill while you read the page. Several carpet manufacturers also offer carpet recycling programs - Flor, Shaw and Milliken to name a few.

Cars can be recycled too! The best way is to donate a car to Volunteers of America at CarsHelpingPeople.org (or phone 877-721-4862 toll free). Your old car will get new life, and the money it raises will bring new life to the millions of homeless, veterans and children at risk VOA helps every year. Local programs that make a real impact make VOA the best place to donate car