Community Corner

Five Things You Didn't Know Could be Recycled

Everyday items that have a useful second life.

We all put our recycling bins out each week, but besides the standard paper, plastics, metals and glass that mostly comprise its contents, there are many materials that people don't realize can be recycled.

Here are five things you may not know can have a second life: 

1. Restaurant carry-out containers

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Sure, we order out all the time and those bulky plastic containers are microwave-friendly, but did you know you can add them to your recycling bin? Check the container for the triangular symbol and if it’s there, it can be reused.

2. Carpet

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It is estimated that five billion pounds of used carpet end up in landfills each year in the United States. Some carpets even contain chemicals like polyvinylchloride (PVC) and Polypropylene, which can contaminate groundwater.

If you are having new carpet installed, check with the store to see if they will haul away and recycle your old carpet or if you will have to contact another company, like Long Island Carpet Recycling, which offers both pickup and disposal.

3. Toothbrushes and razors

Before you get grossed out, we do not condone passing your used toothbrush on to someone else. Toothbrush handles are often made of plastic, which can be recycled. The Preserve toothbrush offers a subscription for $13 a year where you can mail back your used toothbrush for recycling and get a new one every three months.

There are also other ways to recycle your toothbrush:

  • Because of their size, toothbrushes can become cleaning brushes for those hard to reach grooves and cracks that bigger brushes can't fit into.

4. Crayons

Did you know that there is a national crayon recycling program? They have already saved 47,000 pounds of crayons from going into landfills. The program accepts unwanted and broken crayons  and recycles them into new ones. They also offer a mail-in program as well as drop-off bins.

5. Wine Corks

Most people have a few bottles of wine around the house, but what do you do with the corks after the bottle is done?

First, if you have a compost pile, toss them in there. They are made from cork trees after all and it's free! Second, shredded corks can be used in mulch. Whole Foods is also accepting wine corks for recycling, and there are several businesses online where you can send in your corks to be recycled.


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