8 Things You Didn't Know You Could Recycle

By DivineCaroline via EcoSalon

I have a large, shameful pile of junk in my basement that has been growing out of control for three years. I try not to look at it when I pass it, because when I do, I inevitably feel that flush of guilt: “Why haven’t I recycled this stuff already?” But for many items, from packing peanuts to old scraps of carpet, it’s not as easy as putting them in a curbside bin. Sometimes it seems like an awful lot of effort just to find out whether something can be recycled at all, let alone how or where.

But don’t give in and toss those questionable items in the trash! You might be surprised at some of the things that can actually be recycled. Turn wine corks into flooring, trade in energy-sucking holiday lights for LED strands, and transform your old sneakers into a tennis court—sometimes it’s as easy as simply dropping them in the mail.

1. Wine Corks
If you can’t bear to throw away wine corks and tuck them away in a drawer for some craft project that will never materialize, here’s a tip: send them to Yemm & Hart Green Materials. They’ve started an experimental wine cork-recycling program that processes the old bottle stoppers into lovely, environmentally friendly cork floor and wall tiles. Eventually, they hope to actually pay people for their corks, but for now, do it out of the kindness of your heart. Check out these five other creative reuses for old wine corks.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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brittany h.

5:44AM PST on Jan 10, 2012

What a great article, thanks.

Heather P.

2:48PM PST on Jan 9, 2012

Bras, sneakers, carpeting...I had no idea there are places who want these items for recycling. How wonderful to learn of this. Thank you!!

Robin R.

2:26PM PST on Jan 9, 2012

I definitely have at least 10 pairs of shoes that could use a new home (price tag still on but buried under newer finds) - I hope that the websites you gave work in Canada!

Jan M.

6:33AM PST on Jan 9, 2012

I was not surprised to find that I already DO most of this I used to make it an annual practice every Christmas/New Year's to go through all my junk and get rid of what I didn't want/need. Now it sort of just happens throughout the year. Wish I could get my husband to do the same! This was a great article, I didn't know about all the ways you could recycle hair, carpeting or brassieres. Thanks, very interesting article!

Jessie D.

8:26PM PST on Jan 2, 2012

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12:32AM PDT on Oct 13, 2011

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