How to Recycle Your Old Stuff

Recycling is easy right? You just put your cans, plastics and newspapers in the appropriate bin. So which bin does your old cell phone go in? Or your shoes? And please don't answer with the trash can.

I live by the rule where I don't toss anything without taking a minute to ask myself, "should this be in a landfill, how harmful is this, could someone else use this, could I get money for this?" Let's talk electronics - these are something we all have and know shouldn't go near a landfill.

This year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, consumers will retire 2 million tons in e-waste, or "tech trash" – old or obsolete cellular phones, rechargeable batteries, ink jet cartridges, televisions, computer components, monitors, appliances.

Being lazy and tossing these items in the trash is not allowed anymore. It's just become too easy to recycle your e-waste. Best Buys across the U.S will allow you to drop off your e-waste. They will even come to your house and remove old appliances if you purchase a new one from them. Staples and Office Depot also take back electronics.

Let's look at something we all have sitting around the house, an old cell phone. We know this shouldn't be in a landfill. There are 2 great things to do with your cell phones.

First, donate it! Most cell phone companies will allow you to drop off your unwanted phone at their stores. They fix them up and donate them. At&t donates the phones to soldiers' families, Verizon gives them to domestic violence victims. Most of the cell phone companies will take any type of phone too, so it doesn't have to go back to your provider.

Another option with your cell phone is to get some cash for it! There is a site called Cell for Cash, they offer money for your cell phone. Depending on the make and model of your phone, Cell for Cash will give you money for your old phone. This company takes your old phone and charger, refurbishes it and sells it in developing countries. You get some cash and help those in need!

There is another site out there called, Gazelle. This site offers you cash for any old electronics, from cameras and laptops to video cameras. It works similar to Cell for Cash - you find your make and model, get a price quote, and ship the gadget to Gazelle for free. Your item is then refurbished and resold or recycled responsibly. I went on there and looked up my old digital camera, and they will give me 20 dollars for it. Not bad.

Companies like Dell Computers and Hewlett Packard have recycling programs and trade in deals for computers.

Let's move on to some less obvious items that don't belong in the trash. How about that old stroller that is sitting in your garage? Donating your old baby gear is great, and if they are in good condition I am all for donating them to charities, or passing them on to friends or family. Baby Planet will take your old stroller and they will refurbish them or recycle them, but most importantly, they will not go to the landfill.

As your children grow they will go through a lot of tennis shoes. These are also something that get worn to a point where they cannot be used any longer. Nike has a wonderful program that will take your old tennis shoes. This is the Reuse a Shoe Program by Nike. Through the Reuse-A-Shoe program, worn-out athletic shoes are collected by Nike and recycled into material used to build new athletic playing surfaces, like basketball courts, tennis courts, athletic fields, tracks and playgrounds. You can drop off your sneakers at most Nike stores.

Got a recycling tip? Leave a comment.