With more people being interested in sustainable living, it’s unsurprising that recycling is a hot topic. Cardboard, paper, and plastic are all common materials people recycle, but there is much more. There are a lot of things you didn’t know you can recycle. Each of these items sees everyday use, but most people toss them in waste rather than recycle them for future use.
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Batteries
While not every battery is recyclable, most batteries are. Recyclers breakdown lead-acid batteries, like those found in car batteries, by neutralizing the acid and separating the lead polymers. Also, lithium-ion batteries undergo disassembly processes to receive the metals from the battery cells. Battery recycling is meant to reduce the number of batteries in landfills. When batteries end up in landfills, they can cause soil contamination and water pollution.
Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Fluorescent lamp recycling recovers materials from fluorescent bulbs and bars. Recyclers collect the glass tubing, aluminum end caps, and mercury inside and reclaim them to reuse. This type of recycling is essential to prevent mercury from emitting into the environment. Mercury is highly toxic to humans, animals, and plants, and makes areas uninhabitable.
Computers
Desktops, laptops, and other electronics are all recyclable. This is known as e-recycling. Many offices and consumers should recycle their electronics to ensure their information and data are secure. When electronics are improperly recycled, they can cause air, water, and soil pollution. Additionally, these electronics are often shipped elsewhere where criminals can access them—including your sensitive data.
Sports Equipment
With lots of equipment made from plastics and metals, sports equipment is a common recycling category. Yoga mats, plastic accessories, and metal weights are all recyclable. Look into your local sports store to see if they have a recycling program. Similarly, you can recycle your athletic shoes, too. Many athletic shoes use plastics, nylon, cotton, and rubber—all of which are recyclable materials.
Crayons
Crayon manufacturers produce billions of crayons every year which contribute over hundreds of thousands of unused wax in landfills. Recycling crayons instead saves landfill space and they can instead be school supply donations for those in need.
