Suggest an item

Do you have something to reuse or recycle but you just don’t know what to do with it? AND we haven’t had the decency to feature said thing on “How can I recycle this?” yet? Gosh, we’re terrible, aren’t we?

You can either leave a message in the comments section below or send us an email if you have any ideas. You can include a picture too if you’ve got one to hand. We’ll give you a thank you nod when we make the post and you’ll, hopefully, get lots of ideas about what to do with your item.

Email us at: items@recyclethis.co.uk


If you want to make something reusing or recycling things (for example, how to make a piggy bank, or a shopping bag, or jewellery), or repair something, or reduce your use of something, we’d also love to hear from you. Again,

Email us at: items@recyclethis.co.uk


Or have you reused or recycled something in an interesting, clever or creative way and want to show it off, but can’t wait until we get around to featuring that item? Just tell us what you did and send a photo if you can, and we’ll feature it on the site when we can.

Email your ideas to: clever@recyclethis.co.uk

 

328 Responses to “Suggest an item”


  1. Nikki F. says:

    We have a cat that is a diabetic and needs shots twice a day. Any ideas for recycling the plunger caps from the needles. This is the cap you take off before using, and don’t replace before putting in the medical waste bin. It never touches anything but the non sharp end of the syringe.

  2. Kate Cowan says:

    I’ve saved ringpulls for years and given to various people who had use for them. I gave mega amounts of ring pulls(via friends collecting) to a youngsters family. Seems if he got his weight in them he got a new wheelchair. Now he has enough. I can’t stop collecting, and still getting from others. Does anyone know of someone or a charity who could take them in Lanarkshire. I’d be grateful to know. Thanks in anticipation.

    • Emma Ferris says:

      Hi Kate,

      I realise you posted this two years ago now but I am a keen crafts person and upcycler and I collect ring pulls for one of my upcycling projects. I am just emailing to find out if you still collect and have some? Please can I take them off your hands if you do. I am happy to pay nominal postage and packaging costs.

      Many Thanks

      Emma Ferris
      07463008844
      emma.ferris8@gmail.com

  3. Scarlett w says:

    I started wondering what i could do with empty toilet paper roles, i sometimes make puppets and bracelets and stuff.

    • Valeria1 says:

      I’ve seen people make little crown of them for the parties.

    • Kay says:

      ATTN: Soap Makers!!!
      I have numerous bottles of BODY LOTION that I want to convert into hand/bath soaps! Iā€™m wondering if any soapmakers have tried this and/or have any tips/tricks to share?

  4. Pam says:

    First I’d like to say I just recently found this website and just love it. I recycle broken dishes into mosaic pots, birdbaths, birdhouses and more. If anyone would like to send me their broken dishes, should they have the misfortune to experience, I would appreciate it. Plates preferably but can use other things too, especially it it is vintage. Don’t mean to be picky but please no white either. I have tons of it already. But any colors print or plain can be used and greatly appreciated. I live it California, USA.

  5. sarah says:

    Any creative suggestions on re-using gu glass ramekins? I have accumulated loads of them.

    • We had someone in our “de-junk, re-junk” exhibition last year who took fabric samples and raffia and made them into pot pourri pots, as inspiration to get the public to have a got at creative recycling.

    • sarah says:

      I have accumulated oodles of these. A friends daughter is using them at her wedding. They will go on each place setting containing a keepsake and wee flower.

  6. JASON WILLIAMS says:

    LEATHER BOMBER JACKET :
    HOW DO YOU RECYCLE A LEATHER BOMBER JACKET ?
    Its knit waistband and cuffs are frayed and unraveling . .
    Its lining is torn and its zipper has lost teeth and doesn’t
    function anymore . Its leather and fur collar are like new . . .
    but I don’t want to pay for expensive restoration . . . A luggage
    repairman told me to “cut off its leather and be done with it” . . .
    It looks like a time consuming job . . . how do you go
    about this ? Where do you start ? More importantly , what do
    you use its leather for ? Any suggestions of what can be made
    out of it ?
    signed
    READY TO RECYCLE

    • E. Raynor says:

      I’d suggest a throw pillow made from the leather. Cut it away from the cuffs and such and use the leather to make a great pillow. You could cut the pieces into a triangular design for the front of the pillow, and use the back in one large square for the reverse. Or, if you have no desire for such an item, donate it to a local theatre group. With the worn interior cut away it will be cooler under the lights on stage, and it won’t need a working zipper to look correct on a character.

  7. Sam says:

    Hello,

    I play at a badminton club where they insist on using feathered shuttlecocks (though not real feathers ā€“ it’s all synthetic material). We get through about two tubes’ worth every week, after which they are thrown away! Incredibly wasteful, but people don’t want to change to anything more durable. Any ideas about a way of recycling them or tackling this problem?

    Thanks!

    • cari says:

      give them to a cat shelter/fosterer as toys. you could attach string to make string toys. or some cats would chase them as they are.

  8. Nicole says:

    How to recycle wooden scrabble tile holders

  9. Uluska says:

    I was always wondering what to do with deodorant little plastic cover that is found under the lid, before one uses the deodorant. Then I cut out same shape piece of foam, oval, glued it inside the plastic cover and it holds my needles. Also, the foam can be cut with oval base but with some shape on another side: flower, bird, geometric figure. That way it can be used as a stamp for crafts or house decoration.

  10. zserb says:

    Hi?
    My question is: How can I reuse or recycle broken vegetable peelers?
    We use the Y-shaped type, with a plastic handle, and a horizontal metal (stainless steel, maybe?) blade, and there’s an ah-so-small… thingy (wart? spline? snag? nipple? I don’t even know the word for that in my own language!) that stops the blade from rotating. And (of course) this small, (seemingly) unreplaceable part is the one that brakes first, leaving us with a blade that turns over (and over and over and over and over and…) with every try of usage. I know I should reduce first, and that’s what I will do, buy one made of stainless steel as a whole, but I’d really like to know if there are ways to replace the little…. button, or the handle, or what I can do with all the peelers we’ve cumulated over the years, or whether I can reuse something else to make a homemade handle.
    Thanks!

  11. butterscotch says:

    wondering what has happened? no posts since last October 2012? I love this site as it provides so many good options to reuse/reduce/recycle…

    • louisa says:

      Hi butterscotch, what happened is that I got involved with another project offline and it sucked up all my time/energy. Boo. That’s coming to an end in a couple of months though and I have plans to relaunch Recycle This – make it easier to find stuff/contribute and, most importantly, add more things to the database! Basically, watch this space!

      -louisa :)

  12. Eddie says:

    I have been recycling quite a few things over the years and love making new furniture or decorations for the house out of pre-loved objects.
    One of my favorite projects must be the cake stands: http://www.roued.com/cake-stand-from-amboise/
    Made out of old beautiful plates and glasses.
    I also do a lot of refashioning through re-sewing and re-knitting different items.

    Eddie

    Eddie’s Room on Facebook come over for some crafty ideas and conversation.

  13. Robert French says:

    How/where can I recycle shredded paper. Our Council – Wandsworth –
    used to take it but has issued rules to Waste Collectors not to do so
    any more. Thank you.

    • Suzanne Brooks says:

      I know someone whose work generated a lot of shredded paper. She would put it into large bin bags and use it for the horses in her stables,

  14. chrystal dodge says:

    How to recycle used rotary slide trays

    robdodge@frontier.com

  15. SUE ECCLESON says:

    I HAVE A LOT OF OLD CUTLERY PLUS OLD KITCH KNIEFS .DOES ANYWHERE RECYCLE THESE THING .

  16. Marian says:

    We are also a charity. Many who come put their old stationery in our stationery cupboard, now we are over-flowing with folders, lever files, filing boxes and old projector acetates. Wonder where it would be useful, or where it can be recycled.

    • sarah says:

      If you have stuff to get rid of then its always worth posting on either of your local FREEGLE or FREECYCLE websites. You might be surprised at how quickly many folk will relieve you of all your stationery etc.

    • Valeria says:

      I’d assume schools and colleges can use those.

  17. sarah says:

    Hi all
    I have a load of old box files that have definitely seen better days. Any of your great ideas would be much appreciated. Sarah

  18. Amanda says:

    Any ideas on what to do with loads of hotwheels and other assorted miniature toy cars? Would rather use them to make something new rather than donate or sell. I have heard of putting an USB Drive in the car but any other ideas?

  19. S wood says:

    Hello, I’ve got quite a few jewellery gift boxes which I hve receive over the years, and they are just gathering dust. Any idea if I can recycle them anywhere or donate them anywhere. All shapes and sizes just don’t want them anymore!

    Please email me!
    samantha.beardsmore@hotmail.co.uk

  20. Craig says:

    We have a large number of left over stress ball like objects (shaped as little men) that were created for a promotional campaign and are no longer needed. Any ideas on good ways to reuse, or redistribute these?

  21. Jasmine says:

    I just received a huge stack of numbers from a gas station before all the stations went digital. I’d say they’re about 18×12 clear plexiglass with one huge number on them (for gas prices). I kept them thinking I’d come up with something wonderfully creative and haven’t yet. Any suggestions?

    • Anonymous says:

      Use to count steps, on the foot board. Also can be used for address numbers either as usual or on a stand up painted board, sequential flower pots, vertical wind chime. Also around a Childs room or class, if you have them on sequence. Maybe even on a post in front of car ‘1’ and car ‘2’ if you have a side by side driveway.

  22. Nicky says:

    I have loads of music cassettes that are good quality – some blank but mainly have music I have recorded on them which can obviously be recorded over. I am reluctant to throw them away – are they of use to anyone?

  23. Timmy Onayemi says:

    I have just received approval to work as an agent for a recycling firm to find Used Radiographic Testing Films from Non-Destructive Testing.

    Could you identify the industry and companies having such waste for recycling in Thailand, where the recycling firm will pay to ship them out in tons.

    It’s cleaner in the country where such is left waste and a good source of foreign direct investment too.

    ĀØHelping each other in our little endeavours transform us into a chain of lives giving life to one another foreverĀØ

  24. Carla says:

    Any uses for old stained sink liners (e.g. rubbermaid sink mat)? Still very sturdy…just super ugly.

  25. Rebecca says:

    What can you do with dryer fluff/lint? I mean the stuff you clean out of the filters before every load. Can you recycle it? Compost it? Donate it to birds for their nests?

    • Kay says:

      Yes, birds love it for nesting BUT the dyes/chemicals (in cloth dyes, laundry detergents, softeners, bleach etc) are not good for the birds, especially tiny chicks! I also wouldn’t put it in a food/veg garden for same reason (unless you live ‘green’ without such chemicals).

      Lint make great:
      1) tinder/firestarter for fireplace, bbq grill, campfire etc.; and when soaked in vaseline/petroleum jelly, it becomes a great ‘waterproof’ tinder! We stuff ours in a small bin by the dryer and donate it annually to a local boyscout troops for thier survival/firestarting kits!
      2) Padding/packing for packing delicate items

  26. Lynne Bryan says:

    My son’s school is changing uniform over the summer. Does anyone know of organisations who can take shed loads of school polo shirts and sweatshirts (most but not all will have logo). They may have this covered, but I wanted some firm suggestions when I contact them because as yet, they have not come forward with recycling suggestion.

    • Anonymous says:

      I was wondering if you ever found a charity to take the old school uniform to developing countries as my childs’ school and two other primary schools in the area are becoming an academy and changing uniform this month,it seems an awful extravagant waste not to do something with all the uniform.
      Thank you, Katie, Suffolk.

    • AlenaL says:

      The school can cut them into fabric to use for crafts , art projects, making book wraps, etc.

  27. katie says:

    What a fantastic site !

    My sister and myself are recycle artists and are need of Buttons ,zips ,ribons if anyone can help please email me thankyoux
    katie.smith.82@hotmail.com

  28. Rahul says:

    Hi,

    Have an old steam iron that cannot be fixed anymore and need to dispose it. Wondering if you have any thoughts/ideas on this ?

    REgards
    Rahul

  29. Rahul says:

    Hi,

    Have an old steam iron that cannot be fixed anymore and need to dispose it. Wondering if you have any thoughts/ideas on this ?

    Regards
    Rahul

    • AlenaL says:

      The old iron makes an assome interior decorative item. The house has to have time pieces, modern mixed with an old, that adds special charm. You can assign it to hold books, to exercise, spray paint it white to play a role of a sculpture, brake nuts with it, press homemade paper, press cottage cheese, cushion it and place behind the door for a door stopper, use to crush garlic.

  30. AlenaL says:

    I wonder how can I reuse leftover heat on electrical stove ranger after I turn it off.

  31. Anonymous says:

    I Have loads of a4 ring binder files is there someone who can take them to use or recycle

  32. Jingo Wilson says:

    Hi am in Uganda Africa I have
    Children who need help of old stuff
    and money for fee on my village and am
    the head of our charity any one who can
    help please reply welcome.

  33. Angela Williams says:

    I was wanting to know if anyone recycles SOCKS? I have bags of socks where the sock may be missing the matching one. Or one of the socks out of the pair had a hole in it, got torn or just disappeared. I have all colors and sizes. I have washed them even though can’t find a match. I have been lucky on some occasions where i had a lonely sock and found it a match,YAY. Anyway if there is anyone interested please let me know. I’m willing to ship them to you. I am donating them to whatever cause you may have for them.
    Thanks and hope to find these LONELY SOCKS a new HOME :)
    Ms. Williams

  34. Stephie says:

    I have a bike for a child aged 4-6 without stabilisers that I would like to give to a child from Christmas free of charge in the Preston area.
    I would like it to go to someone that can’t afford one so it will at least make one child happy this Christmas !

  35. Yolande says:

    Hi all. I love this site. I’ve seen uses for plastic baby bottles, but I’d appreciate some ideas on how to recycle/repurpose glass baby bottles as we have several of them. TIA

  36. Michelle says:

    Not sure if this site is current anymore, but I will ask anyway!

    Any idea what could be done with an Correction Tape dispenser (like white-out, or Liquid Paper for covering up mistakes on documents)? Just like the one shown here at Staples http://www.staples.ca/en/Staples-Correction-Tape-6-Pack/product_516439_2-CA_1_20001 I know there are refillable ones but doesn’t look like that’s possible with this one. I opened it up and it has lots of little plastic pieces. I am thinking I could use the clear plastic tape that remains as ribbon or something, but the rest…? Anyone have thoughts?

  37. Well it’s turned out to be a lovely day.

  38. Zee says:

    I have 7 Iranian language movie video tapes (not subtitles). Anyone?
    please email me: zeemac@ntlworld.com

  39. Shail says:

    Basketballs, footballs, and soccer balls

  40. Kim says:

    I have hundreds of buttons, brand new ones that were made into necklaces, and I’d like to recycle them – does anyone know anyone who needs lots of buttons?
    Thanks

    • Chris Jordan says:

      Kim,

      We run a charity supporting people with Learning disabilities in Kidderminster.
      I am sure these would be useful for us – we are always looking for new projects to do, which help some of our people who find it difficult to concentrate on one thing for too long.
      Where are you based?

      Kind regards,
      Chris

      • Kim says:

        Hi Chris,
        Thanks for that. Unfortunately I am in Bath, Somerset, not near Kidderminster šŸ™

        Kim

    • Emily says:

      there is a great website called freecycle.org that lets you post free recycle stuff in your own community! you should check it out!

  41. Karen says:

    what can i do with old/used sediment filters?

  42. Emily says:

    I’m not sure how I would reuse vampire teeth- like the really cheap ones for Halloween. any suggestions?

  43. Samuel Attipoe says:

    I want to recycle broken glass bottles. What can I use to melt the bottles.

  44. Dana says:

    Eraser shavings

  45. Becca says:

    I have old hair brushes to get rid of and don’t want to put them in the bin as they are mostly plastic. How can I recycle or dispose of them?

  46. Kim says:

    I have a video player (Bush) and lots of video tapes – mainly classic musicals, some films, Wimbledon tennis and some odds and sods. Is anyone interested anymore? In Gloucestershire.

  47. Connie Boraas says:

    I cut wool sweaters to make mittens. Is there a way to recycle the scraps and not put them in my trash can?

  48. Kostas says:

    How can I reuse or recycle satelite dish?

  49. Agnes says:

    I have around 280 white ceramic mugs with a logo on them.

    They were produced as merchandise for a mental health befriending scheme which no longer exists and say ‘volunteer in mental health’

    At a complete loss with what to do with them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!


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