How to Dispose of Tricky Household Items
A Guide to Recycling, Donating, or Upcycling Tricky Home Items
Confused about navigating the seemingly endless rules for disposing of items like batteries, paint and textiles? We hear you! We’ve made it easy to find the best option for responsibly recycling, donating or upcycling some of the trickiest items in your home. Check out our guide below:
Kitchen
Old appliances: We recommend donating any old, but still working appliances like microwaves, blenders and slow cookers to places like Habitat for Humanity or check out The Freecycle Network for giving and getting stuff for free (and keeping it out of landfills).
Plastic cartons, jars, and containers: Did you know there are seven grades of plastic? The bottom of any plastic container will have numbers 1-7 to identify its grade of plastic. Before you toss your yogurt cup into the recycling bin, head over to your state’s website (California’s is: https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/) to get a breakdown of what plastics are acceptable and how to properly recycle them. Keep in mind that not all plastic can be easily recycled. The best way to avoid any confusion is to avoid using plastic, especially single use, as much as possible!
Bedroom
Bridesmaid and prom dresses: Finally, a use for those bridesmaid and prom dresses you wore once and are now sitting in the back of your closet, just waiting to be given a new life. Make someone’s prom dreams come true and donate them to a girl who can’t afford one through organizations like the Princess Project.
Blankets and towels: Keep a shelter animal warm by donating old blankets and towels to organizations like Operation Blankets of Love or your local animal shelter.
Clothing
Looking to make a little cash on items in great condition? Head over to an online reseller like Poshmark and ThredUp.
If you aren’t ready to step into the world of reselling yet, donate clothing to your local homeless shelter or Goodwill store. Just be sure to check with them first to make sure there is a need for the items you are donating.
Take any textile, in any condition (yes, even your sweaty old gym socks) to your local H&M store to participate in their global Garment Collection Program (call to confirm before heading there first). Check out SMART (Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles) for more textile recycling options in your area.
Bathroom
The bathroom tends to be overlooked when thinking about recycling and donating items. It’s easier than you think and can even earn you rewards from some of your favorite beauty and skincare brands
Most shampoo, mouthwash and body wash bottles are made of #1 and #2 plastic, which are the easiest and most widely accepted plastics to recycle. You know how we feel about plastic, so your best bet is to seek out plastic free hygiene and beauty products.
Many brands either have internal rewards programs for returning their products to their store or support TerraCycle programs. Good for the planet and your wallet!
Donate extra or barely used bath and beauty products to organizations that help women in need at organizations like Project Beauty Share.
Garage
Paint: Most large cities will accept empty, dry paint cans as part of their recycling program (be sure to check your local program to make sure). For leftover paint, many states have options for recycling hazardous materials through Paint Care. Check out their website to see what is available in your region. You can always pay it forward by donating unused or barely used paint to your local school, church, theater or neighbor too.
Recreational equipment: Trade your old tennis rackets, skis, surf boards and soccer balls in for store credit or cash at your local Play It Again Sports.
Batteries: Most batteries are full of hazardous materials that can leach into groundwater and soil, so they need to be kept out of landfills. Here are 3 options for responsibly disposing of your batteries:
Most retailers who sell batteries (like Home Depot and Office Depot) will accept reusable batteries
Many batteries can be recycled through your local waste management service
Rechargeable batteries are your best bet for extending your batteries’ life and keeping them out of landfills
Have a solution for disposing of a tricky household item we didn’t cover here? Let us know!