Table of Contents
Find A Recycling Center Near You
Aluminum Recycling
If you’re looking for aluminum can recycling centers near you, then you’re doing the right thing. Aluminum cans are one of the most recyclable materials. Despite this, $1 billion dollars worth of aluminum cans are sent to landfills every year.
A recycling center in your local area can reuse every bit of the can and get it back on a store shelf within just two months. However, one trillion cans have been thrown away since we started using them 4 decades ago.
Did you know that recycling a can takes only 5% of the energy compared to creating a new one? When you add to it that 75% of aluminum produced in the USA is still in use today, it’s clear that knowing how to recycle your aluminum cans is a game changer for the environment.
Instead of contributing to the 1.5 million tons of waste produced every year of this product, look for an aluminum can recycling center near you, jump in your car, and help save the environment!
There are plenty of options, and most of them are a breeze to do. Put them in your own bin, sign up for a program, or bring them in person to a disposal center.
Eliminate waste, create massive savings, and do Mother Nature a big favor by finding an aluminum can recycling center near you now.
Glass Recycling
How to Recycle Glass Bottles
Looking for a place to recycle glass bottles or jars? The good news is you can do it easily at a glass recycling center near you or even at home.
Why Recycle Glass at Home?
Glass is ubiquitous. We use it to package nearly everything. But, unlike most food or beverage options, glass can be recycled endlessly without sacrificing quality.
Recycled glass bottles can be used in place of 95% of raw materials, meaning all efforts to reuse it save precious materials from being wasted. Did you know that for every ton of glass recycled, over a ton of natural resources is saved?
If you’re wondering if it’s worth returning those bottles you’ve got at home, you should know that deposits add up quickly. Many states have bottle deposits that can pay back up to 10 cents for each bottle. So if you’ve had a big party or have just accumulated a bunch of bottles over the past few weeks, toss them all in your car and hustle over to a glass bottle recycling center near you.
Most grocery stores in your town will have a glass recycling machine. Be sure to separate by color, as this will help the process on both ends—for you and for the facility. Be sure to clean the bottles first before returning them, and be prepared to stand in line!
Since the process is time intensive, we recommend waiting until you’ve got a large collection saved up. Once you’ve got more bags than you can handle, it’s time to get to a glass bottle recycling facility near you.
Computer Recycling
How to Recycle Old Computers
Looking for a computer and electronics recycling center near you? Your local area is sure to have plenty of easy options for recycling any piece of IT equipment.
Recycling one million laptops saves enough energy to power over 3,000 homes for an entire year, according to the EPA. Every bit counts. You know that old Mac sitting on your desk or that PC your parents bought you for college that barely powers up? We’re sure you do—in California alone, the average consumer has 2 or more unused computers sitting at home.
Time to put them to good use.
You can’t just throw them in the trash. The hazardous materials are a danger to the environment. Looking for a computer recycling center near you is by far the best option.
How to Recycle a Computer
The easiest way to recycle your computer is to bring it to a retailer with a recycling program. There’s a very high chance that your local curbside program does not accept computers. Before taking it to the retailer, be sure to wipe it clean of all personal data. If you’re recycling a laptop, be sure to take the battery out.
Every time you recycle an old desktop or laptop, you help cut down on e-waste, one of the world’s most pressing issues. And, you help to create new jobs and keep a vital industry in business.
So locate a computer recycling program near you and bring it down. It will barely take any time!
Electronics (E-waste) Recycling
How to Recycle Old Electronics
Looking for local electronics and computer recycling programs? You’ve come to the right place. We’ll help you locate the nearest electronics recycling center. You can even help start one in your local area.
Recycling electronics isn’t just good for the environment, it is mandatory. Due to the hazardous materials inside of them, you could be fined for throwing them in your normal trash. Finding a local facility that recycles electronics and accepts other e-waste is the easiest way to help the environment, create new jobs, and avoid paying hefty fines. Actually, you can even make yourself some quick cash if you know how to do it right.
Here’s what you need to know:
Which Electronics Can I Recycle?
Most electronics recycling facilities will accept a wide range of household electronics:
- Computers
- Printers
- Laptops
- Stereos
- Small Appliances
- Cell Phones
Anything else with a small circuit board is fair game too.
Will Facilities Pay for My Electronics?
If you’re looking to make some money, some facilities might pay for your old electronics. The precious metals inside are a commodity to most businesses. Search for an electronics recycling facility close to you and see if they offer cash for old electronics.
Why Recycle Electronics?
Recycling saves a ton of energy. Literally. For every million laptops recycled, we save enough energy to power over 3,600 homes. Not only does it save energy, it prevents pollution and reduces landfills.
The USA generates a staggering 9.4 million tons of e-waste every year. You can help put an end to that now by finding an electronics recycling center near you.
Tire Recycling
Trying to find a tire recycling center in the local area? Recycling old tires is becoming easier than ever. There’s probably a center or program near you that will happily accept your old and used tires.
How to Recycle Old Tires
Tires are rough, tough, and ready to handle the most difficult roads. They are basically indestructible. That’s great news for the millions of cars on America’s roads and terrible news for the environment.
Recycling tires is a pivotal initiative. Instead of increasing waste and damaging the environment, finding a tire recycling facility near you will contribute to creating new playgrounds, manufacturing turf, or building new road embankments. You might even be able to sell them if they still have life left.
If it’s time to change the tires on your car, motorcycle, or truck, search for “tire recycling center near me” so you can do yourself and the environment a favor.
How to Dispose of Tires the Right Way
The possibilities for recycling grow more advanced by the day. Shredding and other hi-tech methods are keeping tires out of landfills and using them to create mulch, put them in flooring, or making surfaces for playgrounds. In fact, 90% of old tires now get a new life!
Tire regulations vary by state, but most allow you to take them to a nearby facility or retailer. Depending on their regulations, you might have to pay a fee to return them.
Reusing Your Old Tires
If you don’t feel like recycling your tires, why not reuse them? Make a DIY pond in the backyard or a garden bed. How about a tire swing from a tree in the front yard? There are a ton of great possibilities and most don’t take much effort at all.
Click here to find a tire recycling facility near you now.
Battery Recycling
Looking for battery recycling centers near you? Batteries are one of the most common electronics, so finding a recycling center in the local area won’t be hard. Find a local battery recycling center near you now.
How to Recycle Used Batteries
Americans purchase 3 Billion batteries every year, the majority of which should not be thrown in the trash. Although the majority of states (except California) allow you to throw used lithium-ion batteries in the regular trash bin, it is highly recommended to recycle them. If you’re wondering how to recycle used batteries, it is surprisingly easy.
Finding a battery recycling near you is as simple as a search and a few clicks. There might even be a disposal program you can do through the mail. Here’s what you need to know:
Why Recycle Batteries?
Each year, millions of used batteries end up in landfills. Even though this is perfectly legal, it is terrible for the environment. Batteries contain toxic materials, including zinc, mercury, silver, and lead. When this gets into landfills, it can get into the soil, water, and other parts of nature.
Not only that, but processing these via incineration costs a great deal of energy without economic benefit.
In the past, recycling was not cost-effective, but due to advancing technology, the materials within a battery are now easily salvageable. Putting these raw materials back into the economy and keeping them out of landfills is a major goal for society.
If you are looking for a place to dispose of your batteries, you can either take them back to the retailer or locate a battery disposal facility near you. For AA and AAA batteries, you must locate a recycling center. For rechargeable batteries that have run through their cycle, you may either take them to a facility or return them to the retailer. Be sure to store them safely until you bring them in!
Plastic Recycling
Looking for a plastic recycling facility near you? This guide to local plastic recycling includes everything from what to recycle to where to do it as close to you as possible.
How to Recycle Plastic at Home
Recycling just one ton of plastic saves:
- 5,774 kWh of electricity.
- 685 gallons of oil.
- 98 million BTU’s of energy.
And by reusing drink containers like water bottles, you can save up to 100 disposable bottles every year. So if you’re wondering how to recycle plastic bottles at home and help the environment, you’re doing the right thing. The problem is that the process is a bit confusing.
There are so many types of plastic, so many regulations, and not enough good information. This drives a lot of people to give up and throw it away.
Let’s start with plastic that can go in the recycling bin:
- Beverage bottles
- Shampoo bottles
- Lotion bottles
- Milk jugs
- Food containers
Some lesser known items that are also 100% recyclable are:
- Plastic hangers
- Laundry baskets
- Plastic bags
- Mouthwash bottles
Look on your bottle. Anything with the recycling number 1-7 can and should be recycled.
Where Can I Recycle Plastic Near Me?
This is one of the most common searches on the web, and frankly, it’s one of the easiest to answer: right at home! If you don’t want that, you can go to a nearby grocery store and return bottles and get your deposit back for beverages. You can also locate your city’s transfer station and use their recycling facility. That’s most likely the easiest and most comprehensive way for bulk materials.
Less than one-third of eligible plastic is recycled in the USA. Together, we can help bring that number to 100%!
Find a plastic recycling facility near you now.
Appliance Recycling
Looking for appliance recycling centers near you? We’ve put together a definitive list and guide to help you get rid of those large appliances and help the environment as conveniently as possible.
How to Recycle Large Appliances
Washing machines, dryers, refrigerators—none of them fit in the recycling bin! This leads to a lot of unnecessary waste each year. If you don’t want to put yours up for free on the curb, knowing how to recycle large appliances is the next best thing.
With modern recycling programs and strict regulations, it’s becoming easier for you to get rid of your appliances right in the local area.
Common Appliances to Recycle
Your house is full of gadgets and electronic appliances that make your life more luxurious. Once they’ve run their cycle (or you’ve upgraded!), it’s time to get rid of them. Luckily, breaking them down and reusing them is profitable for businesses, so it’s easy. Some of the most common ones to recycle are:
- Refrigerators
- Microwaves
- Washers and dryers
- Freezers
- Air conditioners
- Water heaters
Where to Recycle Appliances
Locating a place to recycle appliances near you is simple. You can use the appliance recycle finder on this website to find waste management facilities that accept them. There are even businesses that focus on repairing old washers and dryers as well as other appliances. They either take the parts or repair the appliance for resale.
Instead of letting those clunky appliances sit in your garage or collect dust in the basement, why not make some money back and help keep the environment free of hazardous materials? If you’re looking to recycle your old appliances, find a facility near you today!
Scrap Metal Recycling
If you’ve got scrap metal lying around, you should locate a scrap metal recycling center near you immediately. What you’ve got could be worth some money! Instead of throwing it in the trash, use this guide to find the closest recycling center.
How to Recycle Scrap Metal Near You
Before you throw that item in the trash, you might want to consider if it has any valuable scrap metal in it. Don’t believe us? The scrap metal industry was valued at $64 billion dollars in 2010!
Zinc, copper, gold, steel, and aluminum are all valuable materials, and many household items contain them. The only thing you need to know is which ones to recycle and how much they are worth.
Learning how to recycle scrap metal and finding a facility near you provides powerful economic benefits.
How do I Know Which Metal I Have?
Determining if your metal is valuable is rather easy. All you need is a magnet. If the metal sticks to the magnet, it is “ferrous” and not valuable. If it doesn’t stick, it is “non-ferrous”. These metals can fetch a decent chunk of change. Separate your scraps into these two categories. Both should be recycled.
Types of Metal to Recycle
The most common metals you will come across are:
- Copper: Copper is extremely valuable. Stripping the copper from wires with wire strippers is a good idea. You can tell if it is in good shape because of its reddish hue.
- Brass: Common in light fixtures, keys, and locks, brass can also fetch a pretty penny.
- Steel: Steel won’t be worth much, but it should always be recycled. Be sure to use the magnet test to make sure it is steel. A magnet will stick to it very easily. Always bring it to a metal recycling facility near you.
- Aluminum scrap: common building material used in siding, windows, wire, car parts, and industrial parts. Aluminum does not have strong magnetic properties and can usually be identified if it does not stick to a magnet.
Separate your scraps and find a metal recycling facility close to you immediately. You can make some good money and help the environment!
Mattress Recycling
Trying to find a local mattress recycling center? Instead of throwing out your old mattress, a recycling program gives you the chance to help the environment and decrease your workload.
How to Recycle Mattresses
Once your mattress has run its course, you must dispose of it properly. The problem is that mattresses are one of the bulkiest household items, and they are extremely difficult to dispose of. Thankfully, there are plenty of options for consumers looking to learn how to recycle mattresses, and most don’t require much effort at all.
Why Should I Recycle My Mattress?
Good question. Why go through all the trouble? In the United States alone, up to 20 million mattresses are thrown in landfills each year, and each one takes up a great deal of space. This puts extreme pressure on the local environment. Around 80% of materials in your average mattress can be recycled, so bringing it to a mattress recycling facility near you is imperative.
Mattress Recycling Options
There are a few options that you can choose from.
- Ask your mattress retailer to haul your old one away when they bring your new one.
- Find a local mattress recycling program near you and ask if they pickup.
- Ask a local second hand store if they sell used mattresses and see if they pickup.
- Use our finder to locate a junk removal company that will take the mattress as well as other items off of your hands (this is best if you’re remodeling an old house).
Note: Box springs are recyclable too.
Recycling centers that accept mattresses near you are just a few clicks away. Call your local recycling program, junk remover, or second hand store today. Use our map to find one immediately.
Television Recycling
Looking for a television recycling center near you? One is just a few clicks away. Check out this helpful guide to finding a recycling center in your local area to learn everything you need to know.
How to Recycle TVs and Other Large Appliances
According to Nielsen, there are over 100 million homes in the USA with a television. When you consider that the US alone generates more than 11 million tons of e-waste every year, it’s clear that recycling that old TV is vital to environmental sustainability.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a modern flat-screen TV or that dinosaur tube TV in your basement, there is a place for it (and it’s not a landfill!).
How to Find a TV Recycling Facility
The best way to find a place for your television is by looking online. Search for “television recycling centers near me” or use the map on our site to find one. Some businesses will come pick up the TV for free so they can use it for spare parts.
TV Recycling FAQ
Q: How do I prepare my TV to be recycled?
A: If yours is not being picked up, be sure to be careful when carrying it. You don’t want to get injured. If it still works, consider donating it to a charity or second hand store.
Q: How much money can I get for my old TV?
A: The answer is it depends. Why not try selling it on Craigslist first? You might be able to get credit at a store towards a new one. If it’s an older model, it might not be worth the effort.
Q: Is there a law for TV recycling?
A: There is no federal law regarding e-waste; however, many states have strict regulations. Consult your state’s laws for more information.
Recycling your TV and other large electronics will help protect the environment, save space in landfills, and stop mercury and other hazardous materials from polluting the air. It might even make you some money! Find a TV recycling facility near you today.
Cardboard
Wondering what to do with all of your cardboard? You’re in luck! We’ve put this definitive guide to recycling cardboard together to help you with just that. You’ll learn what and how to recycle it plus find a cardboard recycling facility near you instantly.
How to Recycle Cardboard
Cardboard is one of the most widely used biodegradable materials, and when not wet, it is easily recyclable. You generally have three options:
- Consider saving the boxes for later use. If you move or decide you want to store items, having cardboard boxes never hurts.
- Contact your municipality and see if there is curbside pickup.
- If there is no curbside pickup, locate a cardboard recycling facility near you and bring your cardboard there.
Why Should I Recycle Cardboard?
Since cardboard is so abundant, not recycling it has a major impact on the environment. Recycling just one ton of cardboard saves up to 400 kWh in energy!
Bringing it to the closest facility in your local area reduces the need to create new materials, drives business by reducing costs, and even creates new jobs.
Once you recycle it, it goes to a plant where it processed and used to create new material packaging. One of the best parts about corrugated materials is that they can be recycled many times over without reducing their strength.
Where to Recycle Cardboard
Finding a recycling center near you is a breeze. Just use our map to find a center nearby that will take it off your hands. Most cardboard recycling facilities are simple to navigate. Just back your car or truck up, offload what you’ve got, and drive off. You don’t even have to remove the tape or labels!
Please note that you cannot recycle contaminated cardboard. That means pizza boxes with grease or generally wet corrugated cardboard are NOT recyclable.