Everyday household items you didn’t know were recyclable

Recycling plays a vital role in being environmentally responsible. It helps us save natural resources, cut down on landfill waste and reduce pollution. While you probably make a point of sorting your cardboard, plastic bottles and glass jars, there’s a good chance you’re missing out on a surprising number of everyday items that can also be recycled. By broadening your recycling knowledge, you can really enhance your positive impact on the planet.

Let’s dive into some common household items that often end up in your general rubbish bags, and see how you can prepare them for a second chance at life.

Kitchen & pantry surprises

Your kitchen is a treasure trove of hidden recyclables. Beyond the obvious choices, there are several items that deserve a second look before you toss them in the bin.

Aluminium foil and aluminium trays

Many folks think that used aluminium foil or disposable baking trays are destined for the landfill. But here’s the good news – aluminium is infinitely recyclable, which means it can be reprocessed over and over without losing its original quality.

Why it’s recyclable

It’s pure aluminium, which is a valuable and a limited resource.

How to recycle

Make sure they’re clean and free from food residue. A quick rinse or wipe usually does the trick.
Crumple small pieces into a ball that’s at least the size of a golf ball (or bigger) – this helps them stay together during the sorting process at the recycling facility.
Flat sheets or large trays can be gently folded.

Aerosol cans (empty)

From hairspray and air fresheners to cooking spray, empty aerosol cans can often go right into your mixed recycling bin. Just remember, they need to be “empty.”

Why it’s recyclable

Most are made from valuable steel or aluminium.

How to recycle

Ensure the can is completely empty with no product left inside.
Don’t puncture, crush or take apart the can.
Leave the plastic cap on or remove it based on your local facility’s specific guidelines.

Plastic clamshell containers & clear plastic cups

You know those clear plastic containers that hold everything from berries to salads and even bakery goodies that you buy in the supermarket? And let’s not forget about those disposable clear plastic cups! They’re usually made from PET (#1) or PP (#5) plastic, both of which are fairly easy to recycle.

Why it’s recyclable

These containers are made from standard, easily identifiable plastic resins.

How to recycle:

Give them a good rinse to get rid of any food bits.
Look for a recycling symbol (#1 or #5) on the bottom.
If there’s a lid, check if it’s also recyclable and whether your local facility accepts lids (some prefer them off, while others don’t mind if they’re left on).

Drink cartons (milk, juice etc.)

These multi-layered containers, often called TetraPak, aseptic packaging or gable-top cartons, tend to fly under the radar. They’re made from a mix of paperboard, polyethylene plastic and sometimes a thin layer of aluminium to keep everything fresh and protected.

Why it’s recyclable

There are specialised facilities that can separate these layers into materials that can be reused.

How to recycle:

Make sure to empty the carton completely.
A quick rinse is usually a good idea to avoid any lingering odours or residue.
You can often flatten them to save some space in your recycling bin.

Bathroom & beyond

Your bathroom and other areas of your home also hold surprising recycling opportunities.

Empty plastic medicine bottles

Small, orange or clear plastic medicine bottles often bear recycling symbols (#1, #2 or #5). While their size can make them tricky, if they have the symbol, they’re typically accepted.

Why it’s recyclable

Made from common, recyclable plastics.

How to recycle:

Ensure the bottle is completely empty.
Remove the label if it contains personal information (or black out the info with a marker).
Check if your local facility prefers the cap on or off.

Plastic bottle caps

For a long time, many recycling programs instructed you to remove plastic bottle caps because they were made of a different type of plastic than the bottle itself, or were too small to be sorted. This is changing!

Why it’s recyclable

New technologies allow facilities to process mixed plastics and smaller items more efficiently.

How to recycle:

Always check your local guidelines! This is one of the most variable rules.
Many programs now prefer you to leave the cap on the bottle (empty and replace the cap) as it helps the cap travel through sorting with its larger counterpart.
If your facility still doesn’t accept them on the bottle, some specialised drop-off points or community programs may collect them separately.

Greeting cards (without embellishments)

Did you know that many greeting cards can be recycled? If they’re primarily paper and free of certain adornments, they can go into your paper recycling.

Why it’s recyclable

They are largely paper-based.

How to recycle

Avoid cards with glitter, metallic accents, ribbons, bows or electronic components (e.g., musical cards). These elements contaminate the paper recycling stream.
If only a small portion has non-recyclable parts, you can sometimes tear off the problematic section and recycle the rest.

General recycling reminders

As you discover more unexpected items that can be recycled, keep these handy tips in mind to make sure your efforts really pay off:

Always check local guidelines

Recycling rules can differ quite a bit from one place to another. What’s accepted in one town may not fly in another. Your best bet is to check your city, county or local authority waste management website for the most accurate info.

Rinse and empty

Leftover food and liquids can spoil an entire batch of recyclables, making them unusable. A quick rinse usually does the trick.

When in doubt, find out

If you’re not sure whether something can be recycled, take a moment to check your local waste management website or a trustworthy recycling resource instead of “wishcycling” (putting something in the bin, hoping it’s recyclable). If you can’t find an answer, it’s often safer to toss it into general rubbish than risk contaminating the recycling stream.

By becoming more aware of these surprisingly recyclable items, you’re empowering yourself to make a real impact. Every little bit helps, and by keeping more waste out of landfill, you’re playing a part in creating a healthier, more sustainable future for everyone. So, the next time you’re about to throw something away, take a moment to ask yourself: “Could this be recycled?” You may just be pleasantly surprised by the number of household items you didn’t know were recyclable!

Ways to make your home more sustainable (without much effort)

Sustainability has become a hot topic more and more in recent years; it’s easy to see why. It helps the planet, and it can even be a lot better for people than they realise. Perhaps you want to up your eco-efforts by trying to make your home more sustainable.

Many people assume doing more for the environment takes a lot of time, effort and sacrifice. It doesn’t necessarily have to be that way, though. Just focus on a few thoughtfully chosen areas. Once you do, you’ll have a more sustainable home than you did previously.

Invest in air sealing

You would’ve already heard of insulating your home, but you may have overlooked air sealing. This helps to avoid any heat escaping through the roof of your house. In turn, that cuts down on the amount of time you need the heating on. This then prevents you from harming the environment through excessive energy use.

Make water consumption sustainable

The amount of water you use affects the environment. It’s always worth cutting down on your consumption as much as you can to avoid any waste. Take showers instead of deep baths and take shorter showers than you do already. This isn’t the only way you can make your water consumption more sustainable. You could also consider water borehole drilling to have your own well, cutting out the need to have it piped in. Additionally, you could install water butts around your garden to collect rainwater for use on your beds and borders.

Install solar panels

Solar panels are one of the more obvious ways to make your home more sustainable. There’s a reason why so many people go for them. It reduces your reliance on fossil fuels, which harm the environment. While installing them could be relatively expensive, you’ll save more than enough on your energy bills to make it worthwhile in the long-term.

Pick high-performance windows

A great deal of heat can be lost through your windows, forcing you to put the heating on more often and for longer periods. This is terrible for the environment, which is why it’s always an issue worth addressing. Investing in high-performance windows, like double-glazed windows, can be more than worth it. It prevents most of the heat from getting out, so you don’t needlessly waste energy on heating.

Choose eco-paint

Painting your home is always a great way to make it more attractive, but this has more of an impact on the environment than you’d think. The paint itself could harm the environment long-term. Thankfully, there are ways around this. Eco-paints don’t have nearly as much of a negative impact on the environment, making it worth switching to them. They’ll even look the same as traditional paint.

Trying to make your home more sustainable is always a great step to take. Sadly, many people assume it’ll take quite a bit of time and effort. While there’s always a process to this, it doesn’t need to be as complicated as you’d imagine.

By focusing on a few particular areas, you could end up having a more sustainable home without needing to put a lot of time and effort into it. You’ve no reason not to focus on them.

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5 sustainable home upgrades you need to try today

Sustainable home upgrades are becoming increasingly common in the UK, Europe, the USA and beyond. Although the initial investment can put people off, costs have come down, and there’s potential for large long-term savings. From insulation to eco-friendly decorating, here are some ideas.

Septic tank installation

What can we really say about the septic tank? Well, they’re necessary, and they help with the plumbing flow. You know what they do! But what do they have to do with sustainability? The septic tank plays a more important role than you may think. They help protect marine life by filtering out harmful stuff before the effluent drains into rivers. This keeps aquatic wildlife safe, and you get peace of mind knowing you aren’t contributing to any extra water pollution.

Heating, draughts and insulation

Keeping the home warm is a burden for many people these days. With rising costs and winter setting in, it can feel impossible sometimes. However, you can make your home more sustainable by using less heating energy with some relatively minor changes. Thermostat control is a major one, having adequate insulation is another. Finally, use a lit candle to detect any draughts and seal up those annoying and expensive little gaps.

Renewable sustainable home upgrades

Renewable energy has become something of a buzzword. But it’s an important factor if you want to create a sustainable home. The costs vary, but there are a range of money-saving methods you can adopt.

Solar panels

Solar panels are cheaper than ever and can save up to 90% on your electricity bill when positioned correctly. There are also grants and funds available for their installation in the USA and the UK.

Heat pumps

Heat pumps are an alternative to traditional radiators. They’re energy-efficient and contribute much less carbon to the environment than oil and gas boilers. Again, installation grants are available, however, not all properties are suitable for this option.

Biomass boilers

Biomass boilers are up to 90% more efficient than a gas boiler. They burn wood instead of gas, and can potentially save thousands per year. However, they do require more maintenance.

Most modern options are designed to reduce emissions. They can also save a bundle, despite the high initial installation costs. Many people are currently adopting a hybrid approach to these methods.

Eco-friendly decorating

Decorating the home is something many people do regularly. Of course, doing it isn’t exactly cheap these days. But it also isn’t very good for the environment either. So, how can you go about eco-friendly decorating? The first choice is to use paint made with non-volatile organic compounds (NVOCs). That’s a mouthful! NVOCs are much safer for you and the environment. Also, a ventilation system should be used to collect dust and particles for safe disposal.

Water and flow control

Alongside energy, water is one of the most wasted commodities. Most people don’t even think about water usage but given that there are billions who don’t have easy access to safe drinking water, it’s a privilege. Small things like taking shorter showers, filling the sink to the level you need and fixing dripping taps can all add up to making a big difference. You could also use low-flow devices like aerators to reduce the amount of water you use. These can be applied to the toilet, shower head and sink taps.

Summary

Installing a septic tank is one of the most useful sustainable home upgrades when it comes to helping the aquatic environment. You can also install renewable fuel devices such as biomass boilers. And it helps to reduce how much water your family uses with low-flow products.

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Rethinking your garden for better sustainability and self-sufficiency

Whether you live in the countryside or at the heart of a sprawling urban area, learning about sustainability and moving towards self-sufficiency is non-negotiable. You may not be able to grow all the grains, fruit and vegetables you need to feed your family from day one, but it is still crucial to learn more about how to grow your fruit, vegetable and herb garden, preserve food and reconnect with nature.

There are many benefits to it – and not just in a post-apocalyptic scenario! In fact, growing your garden and moving towards self-sufficiency can help you enjoy fresher, more organic produce, practice patience, spend more time outdoors and build your gardening skills.

In this guide, we’ll look at a few practical tips to make the most of your property’s green area. Let’s dive in!

Embrace the principles of permaculture

Permaculture is all about creating a garden that is in harmony with the principles of nature. This approach to gardening has many benefits. For example, pairing plants can aid in pest control, optimise the soil’s level of moisture and nutrients and ensure your garden can thrive with minimal external assistance.

When it comes to getting started with permaculture, the first step is to observe your garden’s natural ecosystem. Where does sunlight hit? Which area is more exposed? What vegetables and herbs are you looking to cultivate? Start by making a plan, and then use design strategies that mimic natural processes.

Invest in an efficient greenhouse

Next up, let’s talk about investing in a greenhouse. If you live in an area lacking plenty of sunshine or exposed to harsh winter temperatures, you may struggle to keep your vegetable garden alive all year round. That’s where the right greenhouse ideas for your garden come in.

These can be as big or small as you like, fitting perfectly within any garden space or design. These greenhouses can help you maintain a comfortable temperature and moisture levels for your plants, allowing you to enjoy your produce across the seasons. If you are ready to take a step further, consider completing your greenhouse with shelving solutions, storage areas and ad hoc irrigation systems!

Get started with a herb garden

For millennia, herbs have been used as medicine. While you may not be an expert of medicinal herbs, growing a herb garden still offers endless benefits. Firstly, many species are extremely easy to cultivate. Just think about peppermint! It grows extremely well and will take over your entire garden if not in a pot!

When planting your herbs garden, be sure to add some of the best herbs for teas, infusion or for adding flavour to your meals. These can include sage, rosemary, basil, thyme, parsley, oregano and chamomile!

Plant native species and attract wildlife

When it comes to choosing the best plants and trees to add to your garden, nature is likely to provide the answer to your question! In fact, plants native to your region are easy to care for and can help you optimise your use of resources. For example, if you live in the UK, planting tropical plants can cause you to struggle with high levels of water and low temperatures. Oppositely, opting for maple, birch or holly can help you create an easy-to-maintain, varied green area. Plus, since these plants are native to the area, they are likely to attract beneficial wildlife like birds and squirrels!

Smart irrigation solutions

The last thing you’ll want is for your ‘sustainable’ garden to use too much water! After all, this is a precious resource that we should all strive to protect. So, how can you keep your plants well-watered without wasting water?

There are two main options you could consider. Firstly, you may install a system, even if rudimentary, to collect and healthily store rainwater. This can then be used to water your plants during the dry summer months. Alternatively, consider investing in smart and automated irrigation solutions. These monitor the levels of moisture in the soil and adjust the intake of water to keep your plants water without wasting resources.

Begin composting

Composting is an excellent strategy to reduce your household’s waste, but it can also benefit your garden. A composting pit or bin can help you enrich the solid with essential nutrients. Additionally, by-products such as composting tea are rich in minerals and can work as an excellent natural liquid fertiliser.

Ultimately, composting is a win-win! It helps you reduce your waste while improving the health of your vegetable garden!

Learn about key food preservation techniques

Growing your vegetable garden is the first step towards creating a more self-sufficient home. But there’s more to it! And, it starts with learning more about food preservation techniques! After all, the last thing you’ll want is to waste excess produce during summer just to find yourself with very little output during the winter months!

Some easy options to learn more about include:

Canning: Use glass jars to store fruits, vegetables and sauces. By sealing them in a hot water bath or pressure canner, you can extend shelf life while retaining nutrients and flavours.
Freezing: This is the simplest way to preserve freshness. Freezing keeps in flavours and nutrients, making it an ideal choice for fruits, vegetables and even complete meals.
Dehydrating: This method works by removing moisture from foods. You may need to use a dehydrator or oven. This technique is great for making snacks like dried fruit, as it extends shelf life without requiring refrigeration.
Fermenting: Fermentation uses beneficial bacteria to preserve food. It can be used for making items like sauerkraut, kimchi and yogurt. Not only does it enhance flavours, but it also adds probiotics to your food!
Pickling: This method involves soaking food in vinegar and spices to preserve it. Pickling not only extends the shelf life but also adds tangy and spicy notes to your food, making it perfect for vegetables like cucumber!

Getting started with self-sufficiency

The steps seen above are just a few of the ones that can help you make your garden more self-sufficient. Even if you live in a well-connected area where supermarkets aren’t lacking, consider the benefits of taking a few steps towards self-sufficiency! Growing and eating your own vegetables can give you satisfaction, reduce the intake of chemicals like fertilisers, teach you patience, reduce household waste and, ultimately, provide infinite satisfaction!

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