24 replies to this topic

[FamilyTreeClimber]

When my Dad died, I didn't know what to do with his glasses and hearing aids.  They were in good shape and I didn't want to throw them away.  I searched online and found a non-profit organization that took both items, fixed them up, then gave them to poor people.  I sent the items off to them.  It was nice to see that someone else would make good use of these expensive necessities.

This is an interesting list of every day things that can be recycled and reused.  Though, it appears some of the items aren't fully recyclable.

http://kars4kids.wor...cycle-or-reuse/

What other items could you add to the list?

[Shortpoet-GTD]

I would guess that anything can be reused or re-purposed if the user is creative enough.

The only problem I see with that is space. I speak from experience-keeping items until I figure out what to do with it
can add up, and "junk piling up" becomes the issue.

Donating to Goodwill can be a two-fer because they hire people with limited capabilities, and they work on
fixing them for sale. It provides work for them, and the organization makes money from the sales.

[artistry]

Another organization that is non-profit and takes donations, while providing you with a receipt for tax purposes is Purple Heart. They can be found on-line...

[dissn_it]

There are some surprising items on the list, especially dentures! When my kids were younger we had a lot of crayons around the house. By the time they got older we had quite a collection of them. I donated them along with all the outgrown toys to local daycares and churches. I also donate to the Goodwill because like Shortpoet stated, they do employ folks that would not be able to find work elsewhere.

[happyrocinante]

You can also donate the old blankets, sheets and towels to your local animal shelter.  They use these items to make beds for the animals in their care.

Here is one I thought was kind of interesting.

Bras
Maybe you’ve grown out of purple polka dots (figuratively) or grown out of your old size (literally) but either way, don’t toss that bra. Most of us take a selection of clean undergarments for granted, but there are plenty of people in need. Bosom Buddy Recycling will take your old bras and give them to deserving women around the country including women’s shelters, transitional housing, and breast cancer-survivor support groups.

Via http://www.divinecar...2#ixzz1w68vdASX

I know that most people don't like to purchase used undergarments.  I think this is their website if you are interested:
http://www.brarecycling.com/

[Sandra Piddock]

I'm amazed at the dentures, and also the bras, because those are two items that I really think should go into landfill. You just can't imagine how anyone could possibly find a use for them. The fact that somebody can is a good thing, but I still have a problem with it. Perhaps I'm not as green as I thought I was!

[Mystique]

Interesting list! FamilyTreeClimber, I'm glad you found a way to recycle your father's items. My late mother passed away in 2007 and I kept her belongings, as I was the only girl in the family. My father has some of her items, but I kept her glasses with me. I'm not sure if I'm ready to part with it - I think it's because it reminds me so much of my mother when she was reading the papers or magazines. Perhaps, when I am ready to give it away, I would find a similar non-profit organization to recycle her glasses.

[FamilyTreeClimber]

Mystique, I was happy to donate his hearing aids.  Even the cheapest hearings aids are expensive.  I am sure many people need them but can't afford them.

There were so many useful things that we had to find a home for after my Dad died.  He was on oxygen and, also, used a machine that dispensed his breathing medication.  I can't remember what it is called.  The company picked up the oxygen equipment but refused to take the breathing medication machine and the medication.  We found someone who could use the machine and it's accessories, but the medication had to be dispensed of.  It was such a waste as some of it wasn't even opened.

Sandra, I am glad that they recycle the dentures for the materials within them.  I can't imagine dentures being reused.  There is an ick factor.  Plus, they are made to fit a person's mouth.  I don't think they would be good to give to other people.

[Hardison]

That's a great list. I didn't know that dentures could be recycled and kind of creeps me out . You can recycle your old eyeglasses. These are non-profit that gives them to people of need in third world (I hate that term, but can't think of anything else at the moment) countries.

I didn't know about the recycling of sneakers. I have throw away many, many sneakers that could have been recycled. Now, I know.

@happyrocinante: Thanks for the info about recycling old towels, sheets and blankets. Recycling bras seems very strange, because when I ready to throw them out, they are very stretched out of shape. One woman's trash is another woman's treasure. ;)

This site has a wealth of knowledge.

[btatro]

I know most hospitals and eye doctors will take prescription glasses. Many times they are sent to charity to help out people who could otherwise not afford glasses. The hospital I work at has a few eyeglass containers around that always have a few pairs in them so it must be a known thing in my area that they do that.

[LosAngelesLover]

I didn't know game discs were recyclable until a few weeks ago when I saw an advertisement on the television.

[mariaandrea]

They aren't taking old used dentures and putting them in someone else's mouth.   The organization (in Japan) is extracting the metals in the dentures, selling it and donating the money to UNICEF. Some of the metals are very valuable so it's worth it.

I didn't know about the sneakers. That's awesome. I have a few pairs sitting in a closet that need to go. Glad to know about this.

I've given old glasses to the Lions Club.

The EPA has a page with information about recycling/donating old cell phones.

I now take my #5 plastics to a Gimme5 recycling bin located in my local Whole Foods store.

[FamilyTreeClimber]

It would be gross if they were reusing the dentures.  It's good that they are extracting the metals.  At least that is one part being reused.

Most of this is about awareness.  I think if more people knew they could recycle something they would.  I know that I was thrilled to send my Dad's hearing aids off to that organization.  I wish I could remember the name.  It wasn't the Lions Club.  They do hearing aid recycling but they only work with one brand.

[MakingCents]

I love threads like this, because like someone else said you can recycle or repurpose just about anything.  The trick is to find the idea of what to do before it turns into junk and your house looks like something form the show hoarders.

[zararina]

Yes nice to know that only the metals in the used dentures are being sold and the money is donated. :P
I am not aware that bra can be donated. regarding the soap, hope they will do test on those recycled soap  first to ensure it was safe to be given away to others.
I recently read online that old mattresses can be recycled too and they are some recycle center that accepts it.

[Isabellas2007]

It make sense that some of these things can be recycled. I know the old glasses are a great thing and I have even seen where some kids are able to use these after a while. However, the kids may have the older look for glasses, but at the price who cares!

[FamilyTreeClimber]

I guess most things could be reused or recycled if we only thought about how to do it.  It takes someone to figure out how to do it, how to collect it, and so forth.  I'm glad that different organizations are working towards this goal.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

The no kill shelter is always in need of bedding, so giving them old blankets, towels and such is great.

Also-
drop your glasses off at any LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sunglass Hut, Target Optical,
or Sears Optical location for distribution by OneSight.
http://www.onesight....donate_eyewear/

Participating beauty/barber shops donate cut hair to organizations that make them into hair-mats for oil spill cleanup.
http://www.cbsnews.c...62-6469575.html

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Food for thought.

[JBMedia]

Interesting article, however most of these items in general don't surprise me. To be honest, I understand why a lot of these companies do this. Although I'm not bashing the fact that they recycle their own products, let's be honest with each other, they're doing it to make more money. If they lost money recycling them, they wouldn't offer the programs which is the sad part.