Recycling Plastics

Posted by Lyndsey P. Bakos-Schneider

Random Items You Probably Never Thought About Recycling

Antiperspirant & Deodorant Sticks
Check out the recycling number on the package most are recyclable; however be aware the dial on the bottom is typically made of a different plastic polymer that isn’t readily recyclable, so you might not be able to recycle the whole thing.

Crayons
Send them to the National Crayon Recycle Program (www.crazycrayon.com) which melts down crayons and reforms them into new ones.  But leave the wrappers on so they can tell the difference between the black, blue and purple crayons.

Crocs
The manufacturer recycles used ones into new shoes and donates them to underprivileged families.  Mail to: Crocs Recycling West, 3375 Enterprise Avenue, Bloomington CA 92316.

Metal Flatware
If your silverware has seen better days and it’s time to replace your old forks, knives and spoons you can usually recycle them with your other household metals.

Juice Bags
Since most are a combination of a plastic polymer and aluminum they are not recyclable.  However, TerraCycle will donate 2 cents for each Honest Kid, Capri Sun, and Kool-Aid Drink pouch and 1 cent for any other brand you collect and send in to the charity of your choice.  They also provide free shipping.  What do they do with all the pouches?  They turn them into colorful purses, totes and pencil cases that are sold at Target and Walgreens stores.  To find out more info visit www.terracycle.net/brigades.

Wire Hangers
Some dry cleaners will reuse them.  Otherwise, they can be recycled with your other household metals.