From Guest Blogger Jake Fisher: Ten Things You Didn't Know You Could Recycle

Almost everyone knows that you can recycle aluminum cans and glass bottles, but did you know that you can recycle cars, ink cartridges, and telephones? Here are 10 things you didn’t know you could recycle.

1. 85% of Your Car Is Recyclable

If you have an old car in the garage, take it to a junk yard to be turned into scrap metal to produce recycled steel. Several programs are listed online at the Automotive Recycler’s Association website. If the car is operable, consider donating it to charity or selling it.

2. Turn In Your Old Cell Phone Before Buying a New One

Several cell phone companies have trade-in programs that accept old cell phones in their retail stores. You might even get a discount for your next cell phone purchase, and good BlackBerry 10 Smartphones are worth its weight in gold. Some companies may offer a promotional card that can be donated to charity.

3. Drop Off Old Ink Cartridges at Office Supply Stores

Many office supply stores, such as Staples and Office Max, accept used ink cartridges. Staples offers Rewards credit for both ink and toner cartridge recycling. Office Max has a similar program.

4. Donate Clothing to the Needy

There are several programs that accepts old clothing and gives it to charities that clothe the homeless and less fortunate. The Salvation Army and Goodwill accept clothing donations. They arrange for pick-up at your business or you can place it in clothing drop-off bins in your neighborhood.

5. Recycle Computers

Many electronics stores, such as Best Buy, recycle used computers. Another option is to donate used computers to the local library or charity.

6. Use Food Scraps for Compost

Don’t throw away leftovers or inedible material. Instead, save it as composting material. Start a compost heap and deposit any food waste into it. It can be used to fertilize your garden.

7. Over 290 Million Scrap Tires Are Generated in the US

Take your used tires to a recycling center that accepts tires or to a tire retailer. The tires are shredded and used to manufacture several types of rubber products including playground covers and flooring material.

8. Don’t Throw Batteries in the Garbage

Take used remote batteries, cell phone batteries, and even car batteries to a recycling center. Most car battery retailers are also battery recyclers, and many electronics retailers have collection bins for used batteries. This is usually for rechargeable batteries though. For alkaline and button batteries, check earth911 for recycling locations.

9. CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, and Cases

If you have a stack of unused or used CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray discs, you can recycle them instead of throwing them out. Recyclers will shred and melt discs to produce scrap plastic. This is converted into a resin that’s sold back to plastic manufacturers to make automotive and building materials. The paper and cases are recycled as well.

10. Toys

Don’t forget all of those old toys. Donate them to charity or to local schools and churches.

Donating things to the less fortunate is great for everyone involved. What you may consider trash, others may consider treasure. By recycling, you’re giving material a second life. Are you a frequent recycler?