Recycling is not just about paper, plastic, and cans anymore. With technological advances and a growing environmental awareness, the list of recyclable items has expanded into territories we never thought possible. You’ll be surprised and inspired by these 18 everyday items you probably didn’t know you could recycle.

Toothbrushes and Toothpaste Tubes

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Did you know that your morning oral hygiene routine could be more eco-friendly? Toothbrushes and empty toothpaste tubes are now recyclable through specialized programs. Just clean them up and send them off to give them a new lease on life.

Athletic Shoes

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Running shoes have a finish line, too, but it doesn’t have to be a landfill. Various programs repurpose old athletic shoes into playgrounds and athletic flooring. Lace up for a good cause and give your worn-out sneakers a second run.

Eyeglasses

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Your old spectacles can help someone see the world more clearly. Eyeglasses are collected by numerous organizations to be cleaned, repaired, and distributed to those in need. It’s a small gesture that can make a big difference.

Wine Corks

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Wine corks are made up of 100% natural, renewable, and recyclable materials. They can be transformed into flooring tiles, building insulation, and even automotive gaskets. Cheers to that!

CDs and DVDs

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Remember these? CDs and DVDs might seem obsolete in the streaming era, but they can be upcycled into automotive and building materials. Don’t let them gather dust; let them shine in a new form.

Crayons

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Crayons can be melted down and remade into new ones, providing endless coloring joy. It warms our hearts to know that some organizations accept used crayons, recycle them, and donate those new ones to children’s hospitals.

Brita Filters

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Yes, even your water filter can find a second life. Brita has a recycling program converting used filters into new products like trash cans and cups. Just dry them for three days before sending them out.

Holiday Lights

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When your holiday lights have lost their twinkle, don’t throw them away. Specialized recyclers can salvage the copper wire and plastic casing, ensuring your festive cheer doesn’t turn into landfill fear.

Cosmetic Packaging

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Makeup and skincare lovers, rejoice! Recycling programs are increasingly accepting cosmetic packaging, and brands like MAC and Lush encourage customers to return empty containers in exchange for free products.

Denim

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The cotton in denim can be decomposed back to its natural state and reused into new items. Old jeans can even insulate homes and keep someone warm. Various recycling initiatives turn denim into natural cotton fiber insulation, helping communities and the environment.

Ink Cartridges

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Ink cartridges contain plastics that can take over 1,000 years to decompose. Fortunately, they can be refilled or recycled into new cartridges, reducing waste and saving resources.

Plastic Gift Cards

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Those gift cards in your wallet are not just plastic; they’re recyclable. They are crafted from polyvinyl chloride acetate (PVCA), a blend of vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride copolymers. So, drop them off at participating locations to give them a new purpose.

Carpeting

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Believe it or not, your old carpet can avoid the landfill. Specialized recyclers can turn it into new carpet or plastic resin for other products. It’s a step in the right direction for sustainable living.

Disposable Razors

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Through certain programs, disposable razors and their packaging can be recycled into everything from picnic tables to park benches. However, the simplest way to upcycle individual metal blades, such as those used in double-edge razors, is by collecting them in a blade disposal tin.

Mattresses

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Don’t sleep on this: mattresses are mainly recyclable. Springs, foam, fibers, and wood can be repurposed into new products, from carpet underlayment to oil filters. By recycling and upcycling materials from mattresses, we can stop the release of toxins into our surroundings, lowering the chances of environmental contamination.

Bicycles

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Outgrown or old bicycles can ride again through recycling programs that refurbish them for new owners. Most can be dismantled into their parts, with a significant portion directed to metal waste recycling. Pedal power gets a whole new meaning.

Electronics (E-Waste)

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E-waste contains valuable materials that can be recovered and reused from smartphones to laptops. Many retailers and organizations offer e-waste recycling, helping to reduce hazardous waste and recover precious metals.

Greeting Cards

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Yes, even those heartfelt greeting cards can be recycled or repurposed into new paper products. The exception for recycling Christmas and birthday cards arises only when they contain glitter, foil, and glue—unless these materials can be separated.

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